Drug interactions
Deflazacort + Insulin degludec
Severity: Moderate
Deflazacort 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
Deflazacort, a glucocorticoid, can raise blood glucose and reduce the effectiveness of insulin, so higher insulin doses may be needed. Both agents can also lower serum potassium, which adds to the monitoring need.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deflazacort 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.
Deflazacort belongs to Miscellaneous; Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic glucose output oppose insulin; insulin shifts potassium into cells while corticosteroids promote renal potassium loss.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and potassium during corticosteroid therapy and increase the insulin dose as needed. Reduce insulin again when the corticosteroid is tapered or stopped.
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
Other interactions of Deflazacort
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deflazacort with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Deflazacort 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. Deflazacort, a glucocorticoid, can raise blood glucose and reduce the effectiveness of insulin, so higher insulin doses may be needed. Both agents can also lower serum potassium, which adds to the monitoring need.
How serious is the interaction between Deflazacort 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 blood glucose and potassium during corticosteroid therapy and increase the insulin dose as needed. Reduce insulin again when the corticosteroid is tapered or stopped.
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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