Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Liothyronine
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Liothyronine: 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
Thyroid hormones increase glucose production and turnover, and can raise insulin requirements in people with diabetes. Starting or increasing liothyronine may worsen glycemic control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Liothyronine 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.
Insulin degludec belongs to Endocrine; Liothyronine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Thyroid hormone increases hepatic gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and intestinal glucose absorption, opposing insulin.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when thyroid dosing changes. Adjust insulin degludec as needed.
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 Insulin degludec
Other interactions of Liothyronine
- Alogliptin-metformin + Liothyronine Moderate
- Amitriptyline + Liothyronine Moderate
- Amobarbital + Liothyronine Moderate
- Canagliflozin-metformin + Liothyronine Moderate
- Carbamazepine + Liothyronine Moderate
- Carbonyl iron + Liothyronine Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Liothyronine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Liothyronine 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. Thyroid hormones increase glucose production and turnover, and can raise insulin requirements in people with diabetes. Starting or increasing liothyronine may worsen glycemic control.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Liothyronine?
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 when thyroid dosing changes. Adjust insulin degludec as needed.
What other medicines interact with Insulin degludec?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin degludec with, for example, Alogliptin-pioglitazone, Ethanol, Glimepiride-pioglitazone. The full list is on the Insulin degludec page.
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