Drug interactions
Insulin isophane protamine human + Niacin
Severity: Moderate
Insulin isophane protamine human 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 raise blood glucose and worsen insulin resistance, reducing the effect of insulin and increasing insulin requirements.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin isophane protamine human 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 isophane protamine human belongs to Endocrine; Niacin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Niacin induces insulin resistance and increases hepatic glucose production, opposing insulin action.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose after starting or increasing niacin and increase the insulin dose as needed. Reassess the need for niacin if glycemic control deteriorates.
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 isophane protamine human
- Ethanol + Insulin isophane protamine human Major
- Insulin isophane protamine human + Pioglitazone Major
- Insulin isophane protamine human + Rosiglitazone Major
- Acarbose + Insulin isophane protamine human Moderate
- Albiglutide + Insulin isophane protamine human Moderate
- Alogliptin + Insulin isophane protamine human Moderate
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 isophane protamine human with Niacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin isophane protamine human 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 raise blood glucose and worsen insulin resistance, reducing the effect of insulin and increasing insulin requirements.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin isophane protamine human 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 after starting or increasing niacin and increase the insulin dose as needed. Reassess the need for niacin if glycemic control deteriorates.
What other medicines interact with Insulin isophane protamine human?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin isophane protamine human with, for example, Ethanol, Pioglitazone, Rosiglitazone. The full list is on the Insulin isophane protamine human page.
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