Drug interactions
Empagliflozin + Insulin degludec
Severity: Moderate
Empagliflozin 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
Empagliflozin lowers glucose independently of insulin, so combining it with insulin degludec raises hypoglycemia risk. Insulin dose reduction is often needed when the SGLT2 inhibitor is added.
What this interaction means in plain words
Empagliflozin 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.
Empagliflozin belongs to Endocrine; Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive glucose lowering from insulin action and SGLT2-mediated urinary glucose excretion.
What to do
Consider reducing the insulin degludec dose when starting empagliflozin and monitor glucose closely. Counsel on ketoacidosis symptoms and avoid excessive insulin reduction.
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 Empagliflozin
- Amiloride + Empagliflozin Moderate
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Empagliflozin Moderate
- Amlodipine-olmesartan-hydrochlorothiazide + Empagliflozin Moderate
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Empagliflozin Moderate
- Azilsartan-chlorthalidone + Empagliflozin Moderate
- Bendroflumethiazide + Empagliflozin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Empagliflozin with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Empagliflozin 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. Empagliflozin lowers glucose independently of insulin, so combining it with insulin degludec raises hypoglycemia risk. Insulin dose reduction is often needed when the SGLT2 inhibitor is added.
How serious is the interaction between Empagliflozin 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: Consider reducing the insulin degludec dose when starting empagliflozin and monitor glucose closely. Counsel on ketoacidosis symptoms and avoid excessive insulin reduction.
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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