Drug interactions
Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human + Niacin
Severity: Moderate
Insulin neutral human-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 reduce the effectiveness of insulin, so insulin requirements may increase.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin neutral human-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 neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human belongs to Endocrine; Niacin belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Niacin induces insulin resistance and increases hepatic glucose output, opposing insulin.
What to do
Monitor glucose when starting or raising niacin and increase insulin as needed. Reduce the insulin dose if niacin is stopped.
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 neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human
- Ethanol + Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human Major
- Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human + Pentamidine Major
- Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human + Rosiglitazone Major
- Acarbose + Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human Moderate
- Albiglutide + Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human Moderate
- Alogliptin + Insulin neutral human-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 neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human with Niacin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin neutral human-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 reduce the effectiveness of insulin, so insulin requirements may increase.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin neutral human-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 glucose when starting or raising niacin and increase insulin as needed. Reduce the insulin dose if niacin is stopped.
What other medicines interact with Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human with, for example, Ethanol, Pentamidine, Rosiglitazone. The full list is on the Insulin neutral human-insulin isophane protamine human page.
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