Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Lithium
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Lithium: 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
Lithium can alter glucose metabolism, causing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in different patients. This may change insulin requirements and disturb glycemic control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Lithium 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; Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Lithium influences insulin secretion and glucose tolerance in a variable way; the mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more often when lithium is started, stopped or changed. Adjust insulin doses according to readings.
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Lithium?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Lithium 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. Lithium can alter glucose metabolism, causing hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in different patients. This may change insulin requirements and disturb glycemic control.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Lithium?
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 often when lithium is started, stopped or changed. Adjust insulin doses according to readings.
What other medicines interact with Lithium?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Lithium with, for example, Thioridazine, Vandetanib, Aceclofenac. The full list is on the Lithium page.
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