Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Lixisenatide
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Lixisenatide: 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
Lixisenatide adds glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying on top of basal insulin, raising the risk of hypoglycemia. The combination is used therapeutically but often needs a lower insulin dose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Lixisenatide 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; Lixisenatide belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive glucose-lowering pharmacodynamic effects of a GLP-1 receptor agonist and exogenous basal insulin.
What to do
Monitor glucose closely when starting lixisenatide and reduce the insulin degludec dose if hypoglycemia occurs or is likely.
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 Lixisenatide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Lixisenatide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Lixisenatide 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. Lixisenatide adds glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slows gastric emptying on top of basal insulin, raising the risk of hypoglycemia. The combination is used therapeutically but often needs a lower insulin dose.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Lixisenatide?
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 glucose closely when starting lixisenatide and reduce the insulin degludec dose if hypoglycemia occurs or is likely.
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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