Drug interactions
Cortisone + Insulin degludec
Severity: Moderate
Cortisone and Insulin degludec: 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
Systemic corticosteroids such as cortisone cause hyperglycemia and may weaken the effect of insulin degludec. Insulin requirements often rise and then fall when the steroid is withdrawn.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cortisone and Insulin degludec 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.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance, antagonizing insulin.
What to do
Monitor glucose more often during steroid therapy and titrate insulin degludec upward as needed. Reduce the dose again when the steroid is tapered.
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 Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cortisone with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cortisone and Insulin degludec 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. Systemic corticosteroids such as cortisone cause hyperglycemia and may weaken the effect of insulin degludec. Insulin requirements often rise and then fall when the steroid is withdrawn.
How serious is the interaction between Cortisone and Insulin degludec?
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 glucose more often during steroid therapy and titrate insulin degludec upward as needed. Reduce the dose again when the steroid is tapered.
What other medicines interact with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin degludec with, for example, Alogliptin-pioglitazone, Ethanol, Glimepiride-pioglitazone. The full list is on the Insulin degludec page.
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