Drug interactions
Levothyroxine + Saxagliptin-metformin
Severity: Moderate
Levothyroxine and Saxagliptin-metformin: 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
Thyroid hormone increases hepatic glucose output and metabolic rate, which can raise blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Initiation or dose increases of levothyroxine may reduce the effectiveness of saxagliptin-metformin, and withdrawal may lead to lower glucose and hypoglycemia risk.
What this interaction means in plain words
Levothyroxine and Saxagliptin-metformin 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.
Levothyroxine belongs to Endocrine; Saxagliptin-metformin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through thyroid hormone enhancement of gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis and glucose absorption.
What to do
Monitor blood glucose and HbA1c when levothyroxine is started or its dose changed, and adjust the antidiabetic regimen as required. Keep thyroid function in the target range to avoid fluctuating glucose.
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 Saxagliptin-metformin
Other interactions of Levothyroxine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Levothyroxine with Saxagliptin-metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Levothyroxine and Saxagliptin-metformin 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. Thyroid hormone increases hepatic glucose output and metabolic rate, which can raise blood glucose in patients with diabetes. Initiation or dose increases of levothyroxine may reduce the effectiveness of saxagliptin-metformin, and withdrawal may lead to lower glucose and hypoglycemia risk.
How serious is the interaction between Levothyroxine and Saxagliptin-metformin?
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 and HbA1c when levothyroxine is started or its dose changed, and adjust the antidiabetic regimen as required. Keep thyroid function in the target range to avoid fluctuating glucose.
What other medicines interact with Saxagliptin-metformin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Saxagliptin-metformin with, for example, Atazanavir, Clozapine, Contrast media. The full list is on the Saxagliptin-metformin page.
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