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Drug interactions

Furosemide + Insulin degludec / insulin aspart

Severity: Moderate

Furosemide 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

Furosemide may impair glucose tolerance, which can reduce the effectiveness of insulin in patients with diabetes. Hypokalemia from the diuretic can also reduce insulin secretion and sensitivity, so glycemic control may worsen.

What this interaction means in plain words

Furosemide 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Diuretic-associated hypokalemia and reduced glucose tolerance antagonize insulin's glucose-lowering effect.

What to do

Monitor blood glucose and potassium when starting or changing furosemide, and adjust insulin dose as needed.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Furosemide with Insulin degludec / insulin aspart?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Furosemide 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. Furosemide may impair glucose tolerance, which can reduce the effectiveness of insulin in patients with diabetes. Hypokalemia from the diuretic can also reduce insulin secretion and sensitivity, so glycemic control may worsen.

How serious is the interaction between Furosemide 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 and potassium when starting or changing furosemide, and adjust insulin dose as needed.

What other medicines interact with Furosemide?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Furosemide with, for example, Amifostine, Amikacin, Carbenoxolone. The full list is on the Furosemide page.

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