Drug interactions
Insulin glargine + Prednisolone
Severity: Moderate
Insulin glargine and Prednisolone: 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
Systemic prednisolone raises glucose and reduces insulin sensitivity, so the usual glargine dose may no longer be adequate. Hyperglycemia, mainly in the afternoon and evening, is common.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin glargine and Prednisolone 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 glargine belongs to Endocrine; Prednisolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through glucocorticoid-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic glucose production.
What to do
Monitor glucose, including afternoon and evening values, and increase insulin or add prandial insulin as needed. Reduce doses when the steroid is withdrawn.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 Prednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Mifepristone + Prednisolone Contraindicated
- Prednisolone + Radium-223 dichloride Contraindicated
Other interactions of Insulin glargine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin glargine with Prednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin glargine and Prednisolone 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. Systemic prednisolone raises glucose and reduces insulin sensitivity, so the usual glargine dose may no longer be adequate. Hyperglycemia, mainly in the afternoon and evening, is common.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin glargine and Prednisolone?
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 glucose, including afternoon and evening values, and increase insulin or add prandial insulin as needed. Reduce doses when the steroid is withdrawn.
What other medicines interact with Prednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Prednisolone page.
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