Drug interactions
Niacin + Saxagliptin-metformin
Severity: Moderate
Niacin 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
Niacin at lipid-lowering doses can worsen insulin resistance and raise blood glucose. This can reduce the effectiveness of saxagliptin-metformin, especially after dose increases.
What this interaction means in plain words
Niacin 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.
Niacin belongs to Cardiovascular; Saxagliptin-metformin belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism through niacin-induced insulin resistance and increased hepatic glucose production.
What to do
Monitor glucose and HbA1c after starting or raising the niacin dose and adjust antidiabetic therapy as required.
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 Niacin and Saxagliptin-metformin, 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 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Saxagliptin-metformin
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 Niacin with Saxagliptin-metformin?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Niacin 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. Niacin at lipid-lowering doses can worsen insulin resistance and raise blood glucose. This can reduce the effectiveness of saxagliptin-metformin, especially after dose increases.
How serious is the interaction between Niacin 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 glucose and HbA1c after starting or raising the niacin dose and adjust antidiabetic therapy as required.
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.
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.
