Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Prednisone
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Prednisone: 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
Prednisone raises blood glucose and can weaken the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Patients with diabetes often need higher insulin doses during steroid treatment and lower doses when it is stopped.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Prednisone 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; Prednisone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Glucocorticoids increase hepatic gluconeogenesis and peripheral insulin resistance, opposing insulin action.
What to do
Increase blood glucose monitoring when prednisone is started and titrate insulin accordingly. Reduce insulin as the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
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 Prednisone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisone Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
- Prednisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Prednisone Major
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Prednisone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Prednisone 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. Prednisone raises blood glucose and can weaken the glucose-lowering effect of insulin. Patients with diabetes often need higher insulin doses during steroid treatment and lower doses when it is stopped.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Prednisone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Increase blood glucose monitoring when prednisone is started and titrate insulin accordingly. Reduce insulin as the steroid is tapered to avoid hypoglycemia.
What other medicines interact with Prednisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles vaccine, Mifepristone. The full list is on the Prednisone page.
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