Drug interactions
Insulin detemir + Saxagliptin
Severity: Moderate
Insulin detemir and Saxagliptin: 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
Saxagliptin combined with insulin lowers blood glucose more than either alone, increasing hypoglycemia risk. This is an accepted combination, but the insulin dose may need to be reduced.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin detemir and Saxagliptin 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 detemir belongs to Endocrine; Saxagliptin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
DPP-4 inhibition raises incretin levels, enhancing glucose-dependent insulin secretion and suppressing glucagon, adding to exogenous insulin effects.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose when starting saxagliptin and consider lowering the insulin detemir 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?
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Other interactions of Insulin detemir
Other interactions of Saxagliptin
- Albiglutide + Saxagliptin Moderate
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Saxagliptin Moderate
- Aripiprazole + Saxagliptin Moderate
- Asenapine + Saxagliptin Moderate
- Atazanavir + Saxagliptin Moderate
- Benazepril + Saxagliptin Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin detemir with Saxagliptin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin detemir and Saxagliptin 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. Saxagliptin combined with insulin lowers blood glucose more than either alone, increasing hypoglycemia risk. This is an accepted combination, but the insulin dose may need to be reduced.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin detemir and Saxagliptin?
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 when starting saxagliptin and consider lowering the insulin detemir dose if hypoglycemia occurs.
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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