Drug interactions
Erythromycin + Insulin degludec
Severity: Minor
Erythromycin and Insulin degludec: minor 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
Erythromycin has been associated with glucose-lowering effects in some patients, which may add to the effect of insulin. This could increase the risk of hypoglycemia, though the effect is generally modest and inconsistent.
What this interaction means in plain words
Erythromycin and Insulin degludec have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Erythromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Possible additive glucose-lowering effect, perhaps via increased insulin secretion or gastric motility changes; the mechanism is not well established.
What to do
Check blood glucose more often when starting or stopping erythromycin. Adjust the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Erythromycin and Insulin degludec, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Erythromycin
- Conivaptan + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Domperidone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Erythromycin Contraindicated
- Droperidol + Erythromycin Contraindicated
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Erythromycin with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Erythromycin and Insulin degludec have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Erythromycin has been associated with glucose-lowering effects in some patients, which may add to the effect of insulin. This could increase the risk of hypoglycemia, though the effect is generally modest and inconsistent.
How serious is the interaction between Erythromycin and Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check blood glucose more often when starting or stopping erythromycin. Adjust the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Erythromycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Erythromycin with, for example, Conivaptan, Dihydroergotamine intranasal, Dihydroergotamine. The full list is on the Erythromycin page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
