Drug interactions
Insulin detemir + Salsalate
Severity: Moderate
Insulin detemir and Salsalate: 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
Salsalate is hydrolyzed to salicylic acid, and at high doses it can enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect and has itself been studied for glycemic lowering. This raises the risk of hypoglycemia in insulin-treated patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin detemir and Salsalate 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
Salicylate increases insulin secretion and glucose uptake, adding to insulin action.
What to do
Increase the frequency of glucose monitoring when salsalate is started or stopped, and lower the insulin detemir dose if hypoglycemia 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 detemir
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin detemir with Salsalate?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin detemir and Salsalate 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. Salsalate is hydrolyzed to salicylic acid, and at high doses it can enhance insulin's glucose-lowering effect and has itself been studied for glycemic lowering. This raises the risk of hypoglycemia in insulin-treated patients.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin detemir and Salsalate?
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 the frequency of glucose monitoring when salsalate is started or stopped, and lower the insulin detemir dose if hypoglycemia develops.
What other medicines interact with Insulin detemir?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin detemir with, for example, Alogliptin-pioglitazone, Ethanol, Glimepiride-pioglitazone. The full list is on the Insulin detemir page.
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