Drug interactions
Rifapentine + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Rifapentine 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
Rifapentine induces hepatic enzymes and may lower tolbutamide concentrations, leading to reduced glucose control. The induction is somewhat weaker than rifampin but clinically relevant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Rifapentine 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.
Rifapentine belongs to Anti Bacterial; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Induction of CYP2C9 increases tolbutamide metabolism.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose during and after rifapentine therapy and adjust the tolbutamide dose as needed, or use an alternative agent.
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 Tolbutamide
- Glyburide-metformin + Tolbutamide Major
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Tolbutamide Major
- Aceclofenac + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acemetacin + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Acetylsalicylic acid + Tolbutamide Moderate
- Albiglutide + Tolbutamide Moderate
Other interactions of Rifapentine
- Ledipasvir-sofosbuvir + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Lorlatinib + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Lurasidone + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Ranolazine + Rifapentine Contraindicated
- Rifapentine + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir Contraindicated
- Rifapentine + Sofosbuvir-velpatasvir-voxilaprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Rifapentine with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Rifapentine 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. Rifapentine induces hepatic enzymes and may lower tolbutamide concentrations, leading to reduced glucose control. The induction is somewhat weaker than rifampin but clinically relevant.
How serious is the interaction between Rifapentine 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 during and after rifapentine therapy and adjust the tolbutamide dose as needed, or use an alternative agent.
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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