Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Insulin nph
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Insulin nph: 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 induces hyperglycemia and can increase insulin requirements. Patients may lose glycemic control if insulin is not adjusted.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Insulin nph 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.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased gluconeogenesis oppose insulin action.
What to do
Increase glucose monitoring and titrate insulin upward as needed during corticosteroid treatment. Lower the insulin dose again when the steroid is reduced 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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Hydrocortisone and Insulin nph, 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 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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Insulin nph?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Insulin nph 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 induces hyperglycemia and can increase insulin requirements. Patients may lose glycemic control if insulin is not adjusted.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Insulin nph?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Increase glucose monitoring and titrate insulin upward as needed during corticosteroid treatment. Lower the insulin dose again when the steroid is reduced 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.
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.
