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Drug interactions

Clozapine + Insulin detemir

Severity: Moderate

Clozapine and Insulin detemir: 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

Clozapine can cause weight gain, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, which can counteract the effect of insulin. Glycemic control may deteriorate and insulin requirements may rise.

What this interaction means in plain words

Clozapine and Insulin detemir 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.

Clozapine belongs to Central Nervous System; Insulin detemir belongs to Endocrine.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Clozapine-related insulin resistance and metabolic disturbance oppose insulin's glucose-lowering action.

What to do

Check glucose more frequently when clozapine is started or its dose changed, and adjust insulin detemir to the results. Lower the insulin dose if clozapine is discontinued.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Clozapine with Insulin detemir?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Clozapine and Insulin detemir 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. Clozapine can cause weight gain, insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, which can counteract the effect of insulin. Glycemic control may deteriorate and insulin requirements may rise.

How serious is the interaction between Clozapine and Insulin detemir?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check glucose more frequently when clozapine is started or its dose changed, and adjust insulin detemir to the results. Lower the insulin dose if clozapine is discontinued.

What other medicines interact with Clozapine?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Clozapine with, for example, Deferiprone, Irinotecan, Pimozide. The full list is on the Clozapine page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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