Drug interactions
Insulin nph + Mecasermin
Severity: Moderate
Insulin nph and Mecasermin: 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
Mecasermin is recombinant IGF-1 and lowers blood glucose, so combining it with NPH insulin can cause additive hypoglycemia. Insulin requirements may decrease once mecasermin is started.
What this interaction means in plain words
Insulin nph and Mecasermin 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
Additive glucose-lowering effects through insulin-like activity at insulin and IGF-1 receptors.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose closely when starting or adjusting mecasermin, and reduce the NPH insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs. Give mecasermin with or shortly after a meal or snack.
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 Mecasermin
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Insulin nph with Mecasermin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Insulin nph and Mecasermin 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. Mecasermin is recombinant IGF-1 and lowers blood glucose, so combining it with NPH insulin can cause additive hypoglycemia. Insulin requirements may decrease once mecasermin is started.
How serious is the interaction between Insulin nph and Mecasermin?
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 closely when starting or adjusting mecasermin, and reduce the NPH insulin dose if hypoglycemia occurs. Give mecasermin with or shortly after a meal or snack.
What other medicines interact with Mecasermin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Mecasermin with, for example, Gliclazide, Glyburide-metformin, Insulin degludec-insulin aspart. The full list is on the Mecasermin page.
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