Drug & supplement interaction

Anise + Tolbutamide

Tolbutamide brand name: Orinase.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Anise has a moderate interaction with Tolbutamide. Theoretically, anise seed might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceB
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Anise and Tolbutamide

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

Why this applies to Tolbutamide

Tolbutamide falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS — the group Anise interacts with.

Theoretically, anise seed might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
A small clinical study shows that anise seed powder decreases fasting blood glucose levels by 36% when compared to baseline.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the thing to keep in mind: tolbutamide already works to bring your blood sugar down by nudging your pancreas to release more insulin. Anise, when used in concentrated amounts like seed powder, has shown in a small study that it can lower fasting blood sugar on its own. Stack the two together and those effects can add up, which means your sugar could dip lower than you intend.

If that happens, you might feel shaky, sweaty, dizzy, irritable, or suddenly very hungry, which are the classic signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). A sprinkle of anise in cooking or an occasional cup of tea is unlikely to cause trouble, but daily concentrated supplements are a different story. Please check with your pharmacist or doctor before adding them, and keep an eye on your readings.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Rajeshwari U, Shobha I, Andallu B. Comparison of aniseeds and coriander seeds for antidiabetic, hypolipidemic and antioxidant activities. Spatula DD-Peer Reviewed Journal on Complementary Medicine and Drug Discovery 2011;1:9-16. DOI

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Anise Also Interacts With Other Medications

Anise has 192 moderate, 52 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Tolbutamide one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 192 Minor 52 No known interaction 2,586 (incl. Tolbutamide)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Anise

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Anise. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Tolbutamide

This page covers Anise only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Tolbutamide page lists 305 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), Adrafinil (moderate) and African Wild Potato (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 255 moderate · 48 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Tolbutamide page

“People take tolbutamide (Orinase) to lower blood sugar in type 2 diabetes, and diabetes is exactly the condition supplement shelves target, which is why this list runs to 305 ingredients and deserves real caution. Of those, 239 also push glucose around, most often downward, so combining them can drive sugar lower than intended.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Tolbutamide interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Anise as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 465 real supplement products containing Anise, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Anise. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Tolbutamide too, on top of Anise — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Anise and Tolbutamide Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Anise
Top half

#373 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Tolbutamide
Steady interest

#1,752 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Anise

What is Anise?

Anise
  • Digestive upset and bloating
  • Cough and respiratory complaints
  • Sore throat
  • Menstrual discomfort
  • Flavoring agent

Anise is a fragrant, licorice-flavored seed used for centuries to ease digestion and soothe coughs. Most of its health claims are based on tradition and small or laboratory studies rather than strong human research, so evidence is limited. It is generally safe as a food and tea for most adults, but the concentrated essential oil should be used carefully and avoided in pregnancy.

Read the full Anise monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Tolbutamide

What Is Tolbutamide Used For?

Brand name: Orinase

  • Tolbutamide is used along with diet and exercise, and sometimes with other medications, to treat type 2 diabetes (condition in which the body does not use insulin normally and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood). Tolbutamide is in a class of medications called sulfonylureas. Tolbutamide lowers blood sugar by causing the pancreas to produce insulin (a natural substance that is needed to break down sugar in the body) and helping the body use insulin efficiently. This medication will only help lower blood sugar in people whose bodies produce insulin naturally. Tolbutamide is not used to treat type 1 diabetes (condition in which the body does not produce insulin and, therefore, cannot control the amount of sugar in the blood) or diabetic ketoacidosis (a serious condition that may occur if high blood sugar is not treated).

  • Over time, people who have diabetes and high blood sugar can develop serious or life-threatening complications, including heart disease, stroke, kidney problems, nerve damage, and eye problems. Taking medication(s), making lifestyle changes (e.g., diet, exercise, quitting smoking), and regularly checking your blood sugar may help to manage your diabetes and improve your health. This therapy may also decrease your chances of having a heart attack, stroke, or other diabetes-related complications such as kidney failure, nerve damage (numb, cold legs or feet; decreased sexual ability in men and women), eye problems, including changes or loss of vision, or gum disease. Your doctor and other healthcare providers will talk to you about the best way to manage your diabetes.

See full Tolbutamide drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Anise

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Anise — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
192Moderate
52Minor
2,585No known interaction
192 Moderate 52 Minor 2,585 No interaction
Moderate

192 interactions

Showing 60 of 192 moderate interactions — see all 192 on the Anise page.

Minor

52 interactions

No interaction 2,585 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Anise against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,585 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Anise list.

See the full Anise interactions page
See every supplement checked against Tolbutamide, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Anise monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Tolbutamide supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Tolbutamide, ranked by severity Tolbutamide drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Anise and Tolbutamide Together: Common Questions

Can you take Anise with Tolbutamide?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Anise and Tolbutamide interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Tolbutamide and Anise?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.