tolbutamide and alcohol

Last reviewed 01/2018

Tolbutamide clearance from the bloodstream is increased if a patient drinks heavily. Levels of tolbutamide are approximately halved in those drinking 30 units per day.

Reference:

• Drugs and Therapeutics Bulletin (1996), Drugs and alcohol: harmful cocktails?, 34 (5), 36-8.
• Iber FL (1977), Drug metabolism in heavy consumers of ethyl alcohol, Clin Pharmacol Ther, 22, 735-42.