Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Megestrol
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Megestrol: 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
Megestrol, particularly at higher doses used for appetite stimulation, can raise blood glucose through glucocorticoid-like activity and reduce insulin effectiveness. Insulin requirements may rise.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Megestrol 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; Megestrol belongs to Oncology.
Why it happens
Megestrol has glucocorticoid-like activity that promotes insulin resistance and hyperglycemia, opposing insulin action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting, adjusting or stopping megestrol and increase the insulin dose as needed. Reduce the insulin dose again after megestrol is discontinued.
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 Megestrol
- Dofetilide + Megestrol Contraindicated
- Insulin degludec / insulin aspart + Megestrol Moderate
- Insulin degludec-insulin aspart + Megestrol Moderate
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Megestrol Moderate
- Insulin inhaled + Megestrol Moderate
- Mavacamten + Megestrol Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Megestrol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Megestrol 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. Megestrol, particularly at higher doses used for appetite stimulation, can raise blood glucose through glucocorticoid-like activity and reduce insulin effectiveness. Insulin requirements may rise.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Megestrol?
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 starting, adjusting or stopping megestrol and increase the insulin dose as needed. Reduce the insulin dose again after megestrol is discontinued.
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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