Drug interactions
Probenecid + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Probenecid 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
Probenecid can raise tolbutamide exposure and prolong its half-life, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The effect is clinically relevant in elderly patients and those with renal impairment.
What this interaction means in plain words
Probenecid 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.
Probenecid belongs to Genitourinary; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Probenecid inhibits renal tubular secretion of tolbutamide and its metabolites and may also reduce its metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely when probenecid is started or stopped. Lower the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia develops.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Probenecid and Tolbutamide, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Probenecid
- Ketorolac intranasal + Probenecid Contraindicated
- Ketorolac + Probenecid Contraindicated
- Baricitinib + Probenecid Major
- Ceftazidime / avibactam + Probenecid Major
- Methotrexate + Probenecid Major
- Pralatrexate + Probenecid 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 Probenecid with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Probenecid 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. Probenecid can raise tolbutamide exposure and prolong its half-life, increasing the risk of hypoglycemia. The effect is clinically relevant in elderly patients and those with renal impairment.
How serious is the interaction between Probenecid 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 when probenecid is started or stopped. Lower the tolbutamide dose if hypoglycemia develops.
What other medicines interact with Probenecid?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Probenecid with, for example, Ketorolac intranasal, Ketorolac, Baricitinib. The full list is on the Probenecid page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
