Drug interactions
Epinephrine + Insulin degludec
Severity: Moderate
Epinephrine 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
Epinephrine raises blood glucose and can blunt the effect of insulin degludec. Systemic use may cause transient hyperglycemia and sometimes requires higher insulin doses in diabetic patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Epinephrine 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.
Epinephrine belongs to Endocrine; Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Adrenergic stimulation increases hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis and inhibits insulin secretion, opposing insulin action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when epinephrine is given systemically or used repeatedly. Adjust the insulin dose if persistent hyperglycemia occurs.
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 Epinephrine
- Epinephrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Epinephrine Major
- Amitriptyline + Epinephrine Major
- Amoxapine + Epinephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Epinephrine with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Epinephrine 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. Epinephrine raises blood glucose and can blunt the effect of insulin degludec. Systemic use may cause transient hyperglycemia and sometimes requires higher insulin doses in diabetic patients.
How serious is the interaction between Epinephrine 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 when epinephrine is given systemically or used repeatedly. Adjust the insulin dose if persistent hyperglycemia occurs.
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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