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Drug interactions

Hydrocortisone + Tolazamide

Severity: Moderate

Hydrocortisone and Tolazamide: moderate interaction.

Last updated

For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.

Summary

Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose through increased gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, opposing the glucose-lowering effect of tolazamide. Hyperglycemia may emerge, especially with systemic or prolonged corticosteroid use.

What this interaction means in plain words

Hydrocortisone and Tolazamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.

Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Tolazamide belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Pharmacodynamic antagonism: glucocorticoid-induced hepatic glucose output and peripheral insulin resistance counter sulfonylurea action.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose when systemic hydrocortisone is started, changed or stopped, and increase the tolazamide dose or add therapy as needed; reduce the dose again when the steroid is withdrawn to avoid hypoglycemia.

What to ask your pharmacist

  • Should I take them at different times of day?
  • Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
  • Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Hydrocortisone with Tolazamide?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Tolazamide can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose through increased gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, opposing the glucose-lowering effect of tolazamide. Hyperglycemia may emerge, especially with systemic or prolonged corticosteroid use.

How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Tolazamide?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose when systemic hydrocortisone is started, changed or stopped, and increase the tolazamide dose or add therapy as needed; reduce the dose again when the steroid is withdrawn to avoid hypoglycemia.

What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.

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