Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Insulin glulisine
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin glulisine: 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
Hydroxychloroquine can lower blood glucose and may increase the glucose-lowering effect of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia. The risk is greatest when starting therapy or in patients with variable insulin needs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin glulisine 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.
Hydroxychloroquine belongs to Musculoskeletal; Insulin glulisine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Hydroxychloroquine may enhance insulin sensitivity and secretion and reduce insulin clearance, adding to insulin's glucose-lowering effect.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when hydroxychloroquine is started, and reduce the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs. Educate the patient on symptoms of 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 Hydroxychloroquine
- Arsenic trioxide + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Cisapride + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Hydroxychloroquine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Hydroxychloroquine + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Other interactions of Insulin glulisine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxychloroquine with Insulin glulisine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin glulisine 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. Hydroxychloroquine can lower blood glucose and may increase the glucose-lowering effect of insulin, leading to hypoglycemia. The risk is greatest when starting therapy or in patients with variable insulin needs.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin glulisine?
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 hydroxychloroquine is started, and reduce the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs. Educate the patient on symptoms of hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Hydroxychloroquine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydroxychloroquine with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Cisapride, Dronedarone. The full list is on the Hydroxychloroquine page.
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