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Drug interactions

Liraglutide + Tolbutamide

Severity: Moderate

Liraglutide and Tolbutamide: 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

Liraglutide enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and tolbutamide stimulates insulin release directly. Together they increase the risk of hypoglycemia, which can be severe.

What this interaction means in plain words

Liraglutide and Tolbutamide 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.

Liraglutide belongs to Endocrine; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: High

Why it happens

Additive pharmacodynamic glucose-lowering effects from combined insulin secretion stimulation.

What to do

Consider reducing the tolbutamide dose when starting liraglutide and monitor blood glucose closely. Educate the patient on 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 Liraglutide with Tolbutamide?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Liraglutide and Tolbutamide 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. Liraglutide enhances glucose-dependent insulin secretion and tolbutamide stimulates insulin release directly. Together they increase the risk of hypoglycemia, which can be severe.

How serious is the interaction between Liraglutide and Tolbutamide?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider reducing the tolbutamide dose when starting liraglutide and monitor blood glucose closely. Educate the patient on hypoglycemia.

What other medicines interact with Tolbutamide?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Tolbutamide with, for example, Glyburide-metformin, Insulin degludec-liraglutide, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Tolbutamide page.

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