Drug interactions
Cortisone + Insulin detemir
Severity: Moderate
Cortisone 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
Corticosteroids such as cortisone raise blood glucose and can markedly increase insulin requirements, particularly with sustained use. Hyperglycemia may develop or worsen.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cortisone 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.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and induce peripheral insulin resistance, opposing insulin.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely when starting or increasing cortisone and increase insulin detemir as needed; reduce insulin 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 detemir
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cortisone with Insulin detemir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cortisone 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. Corticosteroids such as cortisone raise blood glucose and can markedly increase insulin requirements, particularly with sustained use. Hyperglycemia may develop or worsen.
How serious is the interaction between Cortisone 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: Monitor blood glucose closely when starting or increasing cortisone and increase insulin detemir as needed; reduce insulin when the steroid is tapered.
What other medicines interact with Insulin detemir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin detemir with, for example, Alogliptin-pioglitazone, Ethanol, Glimepiride-pioglitazone. The full list is on the Insulin detemir page.
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