Drug interactions
Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Niacin
Severity: Moderate
Insulin degludec-liraglutide and Niacin: 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
Niacin, especially at lipid-lowering doses, can worsen insulin resistance and raise blood glucose. This may reduce the effectiveness of insulin degludec and liraglutide.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin degludec-liraglutide and Niacin 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-liraglutide belongs to Endocrine; Niacin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Niacin induces insulin resistance and increases hepatic glucose output, opposing antidiabetic effects.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c after starting niacin and increase the antidiabetic dose if hyperglycemia develops.
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-liraglutide
Other interactions of Niacin
- Alogliptin-metformin + Niacin Moderate
- Atorvastatin + Niacin Moderate
- Canagliflozin-metformin + Niacin Moderate
- Cholestyramine + Niacin Moderate
- Colestipol + Niacin Moderate
- Dapagliflozin-metformin + Niacin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin degludec-liraglutide with Niacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin degludec-liraglutide and Niacin 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. Niacin, especially at lipid-lowering doses, can worsen insulin resistance and raise blood glucose. This may reduce the effectiveness of insulin degludec and liraglutide.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin degludec-liraglutide and Niacin?
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 and HbA1c after starting niacin and increase the antidiabetic dose if hyperglycemia develops.
What other medicines interact with Insulin degludec-liraglutide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin degludec-liraglutide with, for example, Albiglutide, Chlorpropamide, Clozapine. The full list is on the Insulin degludec-liraglutide page.
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