Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Telmisartan
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Telmisartan: 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
Telmisartan may enhance insulin sensitivity and thus strengthen the glucose-lowering effect of insulin degludec. Hypoglycemia is possible, particularly around initiation of the ARB.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Telmisartan 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; Telmisartan belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
ARBs may improve insulin sensitivity, producing additive glucose lowering; the mechanism is not fully established.
What to do
Increase glucose monitoring when telmisartan is started or adjusted, and lower the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Insulin degludec and Telmisartan, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Telmisartan
- Aliskiren + Telmisartan Contraindicated
- Sparsentan + Telmisartan Contraindicated
- Amifostine + Telmisartan Major
- Amiloride + Telmisartan Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Telmisartan Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Telmisartan Major
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Telmisartan?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Telmisartan 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. Telmisartan may enhance insulin sensitivity and thus strengthen the glucose-lowering effect of insulin degludec. Hypoglycemia is possible, particularly around initiation of the ARB.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Telmisartan?
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 glucose monitoring when telmisartan is started or adjusted, and lower the insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
What other medicines interact with Telmisartan?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Telmisartan with, for example, Aliskiren, Sparsentan, Amifostine. The full list is on the Telmisartan page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
