Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Insulin detemir
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Insulin detemir: 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
Hydrocortisone raises blood glucose and can reduce the glucose-lowering effect of insulin detemir. Insulin requirements often rise during corticosteroid treatment and fall again after withdrawal.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Insulin detemir 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 detemir belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance, opposing insulin action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when starting, changing or stopping hydrocortisone and titrate the insulin dose. Reduce insulin as the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
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 detemir
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Insulin detemir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Insulin detemir 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 raises blood glucose and can reduce the glucose-lowering effect of insulin detemir. Insulin requirements often rise during corticosteroid treatment and fall again after withdrawal.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Insulin detemir?
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 when starting, changing or stopping hydrocortisone and titrate the insulin dose. Reduce insulin as the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
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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