Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Insulin degludec
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone 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
Systemic hydrocortisone raises blood glucose by increasing gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, opposing the glucose-lowering effect of insulin degludec. Patients may need higher insulin doses while on steroids, and hypoglycemia can follow steroid withdrawal.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism via corticosteroid-induced hepatic glucose output and peripheral insulin resistance.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently during and after systemic hydrocortisone therapy and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Reduce the dose again when the steroid is tapered or stopped.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone 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. Systemic hydrocortisone raises blood glucose by increasing gluconeogenesis and insulin resistance, opposing the glucose-lowering effect of insulin degludec. Patients may need higher insulin doses while on steroids, and hypoglycemia can follow steroid withdrawal.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone 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 more frequently during and after systemic hydrocortisone therapy and adjust the insulin dose as needed. Reduce the dose again when the steroid is tapered or stopped.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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