Drug interactions
Dexamethasone + Insulin degludec-insulin aspart
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone and Insulin degludec-insulin aspart: 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
Dexamethasone is a potent glucocorticoid that raises blood glucose and antagonizes insulin action. Higher insulin doses are often needed, with a risk of hypoglycemia once the steroid is reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone and Insulin degludec-insulin aspart 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.
Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine; Insulin degludec-insulin aspart belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: glucocorticoids increase gluconeogenesis and cause peripheral insulin resistance.
What to do
Increase glucose monitoring and titrate insulin, especially prandial doses, during dexamethasone therapy. Reduce insulin when the steroid 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-insulin aspart
- Chlorpropamide + Insulin degludec-insulin aspart Major
- Clozapine + Insulin degludec-insulin aspart Major
- Diazoxide + Insulin degludec-insulin aspart Major
- Ethanol + Insulin degludec-insulin aspart Major
- Insulin degludec-insulin aspart + Mecasermin Major
- Insulin degludec-insulin aspart + Pioglitazone Major
Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Dexamethasone with Insulin degludec-insulin aspart?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone and Insulin degludec-insulin aspart 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. Dexamethasone is a potent glucocorticoid that raises blood glucose and antagonizes insulin action. Higher insulin doses are often needed, with a risk of hypoglycemia once the steroid is reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone and Insulin degludec-insulin aspart?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Increase glucose monitoring and titrate insulin, especially prandial doses, during dexamethasone therapy. Reduce insulin when the steroid is tapered or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Insulin degludec-insulin aspart?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin degludec-insulin aspart with, for example, Chlorpropamide, Clozapine, Diazoxide. The full list is on the Insulin degludec-insulin aspart page.
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