Short Communication An experimental study of drug interactions of Diclofenac with commonly used drugs for Diabetes Mellitus in Rabbits

Insulin, Glibenclamide and Tolbutamide are some of the frequently used drugs for the most common metabolic disorders, diabetes mellitus. Along with hypoglycaemic drugs diabetic patient is exposed to variety of drugs. NSAIDs are one of the commonly used drugs in this metabolic syndrome. When a patient on hypoglycaemic drugs receives NSAIDs there are chances of drug interactions. This study was undertaken in the department of Pharmacology, GSVM medical college, Kanpur (UP) after approval by the institutional animal ethics committee to find out the interaction if any between Diclofenac and three hypoglycaemic drugs i.e. insulin, glibenclamide and tolbutamide. Young healthy rabbits were divided into six groups: five rabbits in each group. First group received Insulin 1 u/kg subcutaneously; second Glibenclamide 0.05 mg/kg orally; third Tolbutamide 40 mg/kg orally; fourth Diclofenac 1mg/kg orally and insulin 1mg/kg s.c. simultaneously; fifth glibenclamide 0.05mg/kg orally at 0 hour and diclofenac 1mg/kg orally at 2 hours and sixth tolbutamide 40mg/kg orally at 0 hour and diclofenac 1mg/kg orally at 2 hours. Blood samples were taken at 0, 1, 2, 4 and 6 hours for blood sugar estimation. Mean blood sugar levels reduced significantly from their fasting levels when insulin, glibenclamide and tolbutamide were administered. However blood sugar levels did not showed any significant changes when diclofenac was administered along with insulin, glibenclamide and tolbutamide in comparison to when insulin, glibenclamide and tolbutamide were given alone. The results showed that diclofenac does not interact with insulin, glibenclamide and tolbutamide on blood sugar levels in rabbits.