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Drug interactions

Metreleptin + Tolbutamide

Severity: Moderate

Metreleptin 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

Metreleptin improves insulin sensitivity, which can add to the glucose-lowering effect of tolbutamide and cause hypoglycemia. Insulin secretagogues may need dose reduction.

What this interaction means in plain words

Metreleptin 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.

Metreleptin belongs to Endocrine; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive pharmacodynamic effect through improved insulin sensitivity combined with insulin secretion.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose closely after starting metreleptin and reduce the tolbutamide dose proactively if glucose falls or hypoglycemia occurs.

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 Metreleptin with Tolbutamide?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metreleptin 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. Metreleptin improves insulin sensitivity, which can add to the glucose-lowering effect of tolbutamide and cause hypoglycemia. Insulin secretagogues may need dose reduction.

How serious is the interaction between Metreleptin 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: Monitor blood glucose closely after starting metreleptin and reduce the tolbutamide dose proactively if glucose falls or hypoglycemia occurs.

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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