Drug interactions
Testosterone + Tolbutamide
Severity: Minor
Testosterone and Tolbutamide: minor 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
Androgens such as testosterone can improve insulin sensitivity and lower glucose in some patients, which may add to the effect of a sulfonylurea. This could occasionally lead to lower glucose readings or mild hypoglycemia in patients on tolbutamide.
What this interaction means in plain words
Testosterone and Tolbutamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Testosterone belongs to Endocrine; Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive glucose-lowering effect through androgen-related changes in insulin sensitivity; the evidence for a direct effect is limited.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when testosterone therapy is started, stopped or changed in a patient taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 Testosterone
- Testosterone + Warfarin Major
- Androstenedione + Testosterone Moderate
- Betamethasone + Testosterone Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Testosterone Moderate
- Corticotropin + Testosterone Moderate
- Cortisone + Testosterone Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Testosterone with Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Testosterone and Tolbutamide have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Androgens such as testosterone can improve insulin sensitivity and lower glucose in some patients, which may add to the effect of a sulfonylurea. This could occasionally lead to lower glucose readings or mild hypoglycemia in patients on tolbutamide.
How serious is the interaction between Testosterone and Tolbutamide?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood glucose when testosterone therapy is started, stopped or changed in a patient taking tolbutamide. Reduce the sulfonylurea 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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