Drug interactions
Hydroxychloroquine + Insulin inhaled
Severity: Moderate
Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin inhaled: 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 has been associated with hypoglycemia in patients taking insulin or other antidiabetic drugs. The glucose-lowering effect of inhaled mealtime insulin may therefore be enhanced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin inhaled 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
Hydroxychloroquine may reduce insulin degradation and improve insulin sensitivity, producing additive glucose lowering.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when starting or stopping hydroxychloroquine. Reduce the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydroxychloroquine with Insulin inhaled?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin inhaled 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 has been associated with hypoglycemia in patients taking insulin or other antidiabetic drugs. The glucose-lowering effect of inhaled mealtime insulin may therefore be enhanced.
How serious is the interaction between Hydroxychloroquine and Insulin inhaled?
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 or stopping hydroxychloroquine. Reduce the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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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