Drug interactions
Glucagon + Insulin glargine
Severity: Minor
Glucagon and Insulin glargine: 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
Glucagon counteracts insulin by raising glucose, which is the purpose of its use in severe hypoglycemia. Because glargine acts for a long time, hypoglycemia can recur once the glucagon effect fades.
What this interaction means in plain words
Glucagon and Insulin glargine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Glucagon belongs to Endocrine; Insulin glargine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism via hepatic glycogenolysis and gluconeogenesis.
What to do
Monitor glucose for several hours after glucagon and give oral carbohydrate when the patient can swallow. Reassess the glargine dose after a severe hypoglycemic event.
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 Glucagon and Insulin glargine, 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 Glucagon
- Atropine + Glucagon Moderate
- Benztropine + Glucagon Moderate
- Dicyclomine + Glucagon Moderate
- Diphenoxylate-atropine + Glucagon Moderate
- Glucagon + Glycopyrrolate Moderate
- Glucagon + Glycopyrronium Moderate
Other interactions of Insulin glargine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Glucagon with Insulin glargine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Glucagon and Insulin glargine have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Glucagon counteracts insulin by raising glucose, which is the purpose of its use in severe hypoglycemia. Because glargine acts for a long time, hypoglycemia can recur once the glucagon effect fades.
How serious is the interaction between Glucagon and Insulin glargine?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor glucose for several hours after glucagon and give oral carbohydrate when the patient can swallow. Reassess the glargine dose after a severe hypoglycemic event.
What other medicines interact with Glucagon?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Glucagon with, for example, Atropine, Benztropine, Dicyclomine. The full list is on the Glucagon 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.
