Drug interactions
Insulin degludec + Vitamin b3
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec and Vitamin b3: 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
High-dose niacin, as used for lipid lowering, can impair glucose tolerance and raise blood glucose. This may reduce the glucose-lowering effect of insulin degludec and lead to worsened glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec and Vitamin b3 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; Vitamin b3 belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Niacin induces insulin resistance and increases hepatic glucose output, which opposes the glucose-lowering action of insulin.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when starting, adjusting or stopping high-dose niacin. Increase the insulin dose as needed and reduce it again if niacin is withdrawn.
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 Vitamin b3
- Lovastatin + Vitamin b3 Major
- Simvastatin + Vitamin b3 Major
- Atorvastatin + Vitamin b3 Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Vitamin b3 Moderate
- Colestipol + Vitamin b3 Moderate
- Fluvastatin + Vitamin b3 Moderate
Other interactions of Insulin degludec
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec with Vitamin b3?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec and Vitamin b3 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. High-dose niacin, as used for lipid lowering, can impair glucose tolerance and raise blood glucose. This may reduce the glucose-lowering effect of insulin degludec and lead to worsened glycemic control in patients with diabetes.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec and Vitamin b3?
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 more frequently when starting, adjusting or stopping high-dose niacin. Increase the insulin dose as needed and reduce it again if niacin is withdrawn.
What other medicines interact with Vitamin b3?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Vitamin b3 with, for example, Lovastatin, Simvastatin, Atorvastatin. The full list is on the Vitamin b3 page.
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