Drug interactions
Insulin isophane protamine human + Pentamidine
Severity: Moderate
Insulin isophane protamine human and Pentamidine: 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
Pentamidine is toxic to pancreatic beta cells and can cause an early hypoglycemia from insulin release, followed later by hyperglycemia or diabetes. This makes glucose control unpredictable in insulin-treated patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin isophane protamine human and Pentamidine 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; Pentamidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Pentamidine causes beta-cell damage, with initial insulin release followed by insulin deficiency, which changes insulin requirements.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose frequently during and after pentamidine therapy and adjust the insulin dose to avoid both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Insulin isophane protamine human and Pentamidine, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Pentamidine
- Clomipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Desipramine + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Moxifloxacin + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Nortriptyline + Pentamidine Contraindicated
- Pentamidine + Pimozide Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin isophane protamine human with Pentamidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin isophane protamine human and Pentamidine 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. Pentamidine is toxic to pancreatic beta cells and can cause an early hypoglycemia from insulin release, followed later by hyperglycemia or diabetes. This makes glucose control unpredictable in insulin-treated patients.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin isophane protamine human and Pentamidine?
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 frequently during and after pentamidine therapy and adjust the insulin dose to avoid both hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
