Drug interactions
Leflunomide + Tolbutamide
Severity: Minor
Leflunomide and Tolbutamide: minor 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
Teriflunomide may weakly inhibit CYP2C9 and slightly increase exposure to tolbutamide, a CYP2C9 substrate. This could modestly increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Leflunomide and Tolbutamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Leflunomide belongs to Musculoskeletal; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Weak inhibition of CYP2C9 by teriflunomide reduces tolbutamide metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting leflunomide in patients taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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Other interactions of Leflunomide
- Bcg vaccine live + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal + Leflunomide Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Measles vaccine Contraindicated
- Leflunomide + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
Other interactions of Tolbutamide
- Glyburide-metformin + Tolbutamide Major
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Tolbutamide Major
- Aceclofenac + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acemetacin + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Albiglutide + Tolbutamide Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Leflunomide with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Leflunomide and Tolbutamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Teriflunomide may weakly inhibit CYP2C9 and slightly increase exposure to tolbutamide, a CYP2C9 substrate. This could modestly increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
How serious is the interaction between Leflunomide and Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose when starting leflunomide in patients taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Leflunomide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Leflunomide with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live. The full list is on the Leflunomide page.
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