Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Thyroid desiccated
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Thyroid desiccated: 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
Thyroid hormone increases glucose production and turnover, which can raise insulin requirements in people with diabetes. Glucose control may worsen after thyroid therapy is started or the dose increased.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Thyroid desiccated 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.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism: thyroid hormone increases gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and metabolic rate.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose after starting or adjusting thyroid therapy and titrate insulin degludec to the readings. Recheck insulin needs if thyroid dose is later reduced.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Thyroid desiccated?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Thyroid desiccated 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. Thyroid hormone increases glucose production and turnover, which can raise insulin requirements in people with diabetes. Glucose control may worsen after thyroid therapy is started or the dose increased.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Thyroid desiccated?
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 after starting or adjusting thyroid therapy and titrate insulin degludec to the readings. Recheck insulin needs if thyroid dose is later reduced.
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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