Drug interactions
Insulin inhaled + Megestrol
Severity: Moderate
Insulin inhaled and Megestrol: 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
Megestrol has glucocorticoid-like activity and can raise blood glucose and worsen insulin resistance. Patients using inhaled insulin may need larger mealtime doses to maintain glycemic control.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin inhaled and Megestrol 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
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through glucocorticoid-like effects of megestrol causing insulin resistance and reduced glucose tolerance.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose more frequently when megestrol is started, changed or stopped. Adjust insulin doses accordingly.
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 Megestrol
- Dofetilide + Megestrol Contraindicated
- Insulin degludec / insulin aspart + Megestrol Moderate
- Insulin degludec-insulin aspart + Megestrol Moderate
- Insulin degludec-liraglutide + Megestrol Moderate
- Insulin degludec + Megestrol Moderate
- Mavacamten + Megestrol Moderate
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin inhaled with Megestrol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin inhaled and Megestrol 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. Megestrol has glucocorticoid-like activity and can raise blood glucose and worsen insulin resistance. Patients using inhaled insulin may need larger mealtime doses to maintain glycemic control.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin inhaled and Megestrol?
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 megestrol is started, changed or stopped. Adjust insulin doses accordingly.
What other medicines interact with Megestrol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Megestrol with, for example, Dofetilide, Insulin degludec / insulin aspart, Insulin degludec-insulin aspart. The full list is on the Megestrol page.
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