Drug interactions
Hydrochlorothiazide + Insulin degludec
Severity: Moderate
Hydrochlorothiazide 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
Thiazide diuretics can worsen glucose tolerance and reduce the effectiveness of insulin. Patients with diabetes may need higher insulin doses when hydrochlorothiazide is started or increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrochlorothiazide 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.
Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular; Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Thiazides reduce insulin sensitivity and insulin secretion, partly through hypokalemia, causing pharmacodynamic antagonism of insulin.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting, stopping or changing the thiazide dose and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Correct hypokalemia.
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 Hydrochlorothiazide
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrochlorothiazide with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrochlorothiazide 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. Thiazide diuretics can worsen glucose tolerance and reduce the effectiveness of insulin. Patients with diabetes may need higher insulin doses when hydrochlorothiazide is started or increased.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrochlorothiazide 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 starting, stopping or changing the thiazide dose and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Correct hypokalemia.
What other medicines interact with Hydrochlorothiazide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrochlorothiazide with, for example, Dofetilide, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Hydrochlorothiazide page.
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