Drug interactions
Naproxen + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Naproxen 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
Naproxen may potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of tolbutamide in some patients. Episodes of low blood glucose have been reported with NSAID and sulfonylurea combinations.
What this interaction means in plain words
Naproxen 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.
Naproxen belongs to Musculoskeletal; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Possible displacement of tolbutamide from plasma proteins and reduced clearance; mechanism not fully established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when naproxen is started or stopped and warn patients about hypoglycemia symptoms. Lower the tolbutamide dose if 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?
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Other interactions of Naproxen
- Ketorolac intranasal + Naproxen Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Naproxen Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Naproxen Major
- Acemetacin + Naproxen Major
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Naproxen Major
- Alteplase + Naproxen Major
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 Naproxen with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Naproxen 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. Naproxen may potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of tolbutamide in some patients. Episodes of low blood glucose have been reported with NSAID and sulfonylurea combinations.
How serious is the interaction between Naproxen 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 when naproxen is started or stopped and warn patients about hypoglycemia symptoms. Lower the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Naproxen?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Naproxen with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Naproxen page.
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