Drug interactions
Selegiline + Tolbutamide
Severity: Moderate
Selegiline 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
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors have been associated with enhanced blood glucose lowering when given with sulfonylureas. Patients may experience hypoglycemia, particularly after the MAO inhibitor is started or its dose is increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Selegiline 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.
Selegiline belongs to Central Nervous System; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
The mechanism is not firmly established; MAO inhibition may enhance insulin secretion or alter glucose homeostasis, adding to sulfonylurea effect.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely when selegiline is started or changed in a patient taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea 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 Selegiline
- Amitriptyline + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Amoxapine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Atomoxetine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Benzphetamine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Brimonidine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Buprenorphine long-acting + Selegiline Contraindicated
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 Selegiline with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Selegiline 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. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors have been associated with enhanced blood glucose lowering when given with sulfonylureas. Patients may experience hypoglycemia, particularly after the MAO inhibitor is started or its dose is increased.
How serious is the interaction between Selegiline 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 selegiline is started or changed in a patient taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Selegiline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Selegiline with, for example, Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Atomoxetine. The full list is on the Selegiline page.
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