Drug interactions
Tolbutamide + Tolfenamic acid
Severity: Moderate
Tolbutamide and Tolfenamic acid: 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
NSAIDs can potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonylureas, so tolfenamic acid may increase hypoglycemia risk with tolbutamide.
What this interaction means in plain words
Tolbutamide and Tolfenamic acid 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.
Tolbutamide belongs to Endocrine; Tolfenamic acid belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Possible CYP2C9 competition and protein-binding displacement; not firmly established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting or stopping tolfenamic acid and reduce the tolbutamide 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 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 Tolfenamic acid
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Tolbutamide with Tolfenamic acid?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Tolbutamide and Tolfenamic acid 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. NSAIDs can potentiate the hypoglycemic effect of sulfonylureas, so tolfenamic acid may increase hypoglycemia risk with tolbutamide.
How serious is the interaction between Tolbutamide and Tolfenamic acid?
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 when starting or stopping tolfenamic acid and reduce the tolbutamide 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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