Drug interactions
Phenobarbital + Repaglinide
Severity: Moderate
Phenobarbital and Repaglinide: 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
Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer and can reduce repaglinide exposure, leading to poorer glycemic control. Withdrawal of phenobarbital may reverse this and cause hypoglycemia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenobarbital and Repaglinide 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.
Why it happens
Phenobarbital induces CYP3A4 and CYP2C8, increasing repaglinide metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and titrate repaglinide upward if needed. Reassess the dose and watch for hypoglycemia if phenobarbital is discontinued.
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 Repaglinide
- Gemfibrozil + Repaglinide Contraindicated
- Clarithromycin + Repaglinide Major
- Clopidogrel + Repaglinide Major
- Cobicistat + Repaglinide Major
- Cyclosporine + Repaglinide Major
- Cyclosporin + Repaglinide Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenobarbital with Repaglinide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenobarbital and Repaglinide 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. Phenobarbital is an enzyme inducer and can reduce repaglinide exposure, leading to poorer glycemic control. Withdrawal of phenobarbital may reverse this and cause hypoglycemia.
How serious is the interaction between Phenobarbital and Repaglinide?
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 and titrate repaglinide upward if needed. Reassess the dose and watch for hypoglycemia if phenobarbital is discontinued.
What other medicines interact with Repaglinide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Repaglinide with, for example, Gemfibrozil, Clarithromycin, Clopidogrel. The full list is on the Repaglinide page.
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