Drug interactions
Fluoxetine + Insulin degludec / insulin aspart
Severity: Moderate
Fluoxetine 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
Fluoxetine may enhance insulin sensitivity and lower glucose, adding to the effect of insulin. This can lead to hypoglycemia, especially around fluoxetine initiation or dose changes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Fluoxetine 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.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic additive glucose lowering, with SSRI effects on insulin sensitivity; the exact mechanism is not fully defined.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more often when starting or changing fluoxetine and reduce the insulin dose if hypoglycemia 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 Fluoxetine
- Fluoxetine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Mavacamten Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Methylene blue Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Fluoxetine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Fluoxetine with Insulin degludec / insulin aspart?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Fluoxetine 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. Fluoxetine may enhance insulin sensitivity and lower glucose, adding to the effect of insulin. This can lead to hypoglycemia, especially around fluoxetine initiation or dose changes.
How serious is the interaction between Fluoxetine 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: Monitor blood glucose more often when starting or changing fluoxetine and reduce the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Fluoxetine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Fluoxetine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Mavacamten, Methylene blue. The full list is on the Fluoxetine page.
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