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Drug interactions

Nitisinone + Tolbutamide

Severity: Moderate

Nitisinone 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

Nitisinone inhibits CYP2C9, which metabolizes tolbutamide, and may raise tolbutamide exposure. This increases the risk of hypoglycemia.

What this interaction means in plain words

Nitisinone 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.

Nitisinone belongs to Miscellaneous; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Inhibition of CYP2C9 by nitisinone reduces tolbutamide clearance.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping nitisinone and 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?

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 Nitisinone with Tolbutamide?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Nitisinone 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. Nitisinone inhibits CYP2C9, which metabolizes tolbutamide, and may raise tolbutamide exposure. This increases the risk of hypoglycemia.

How serious is the interaction between Nitisinone 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 starting or stopping nitisinone and lower the tolbutamide dose if 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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