Insulin detemir and Saxagliptin interaction
Insulin detemir and Saxagliptin: both prescribing labels describe an interaction that usually calls for monitoring, a dose change, or spacing the doses.
Usually manageable with monitoring or a dose change. Tell your pharmacist you take both.
What the FDA labels say
From the Insulin detemir (Levemir) label · effective 2024-10-09
For patients with type 2 diabetes, dosage adjustments of concomitant antidiabetic products may be needed [see Dosage and Administration ( 2.4 )].
The risk of hypoglycemia after an injection is related to the duration of action of the insulin [see Clinical Pharmacology ( 12.2 )] and, in general, is highest when the glucose lowering effect of the insulin is maximal.
Table 6: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with LEVEMIR Drugs That May Increase the Risk of Hypoglycemia Drugs: Antidiabetic agents, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blocking agents, disopyramide, fibrates, fluoxetine, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, pentoxifylline, pramlintide, salicylates, somatostatin analogs (e.g., octreotide), and sulfonamide…
Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol,…
Drugs That May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of LEVEMIR Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts.
From the Saxagliptin label · effective 2026-01-27
• Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues: Consider a lower dosage of insulin or insulin secretagogue when used in combination wtih Saxagliptin tablets ( 5.3 )
Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use of Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues When saxagliptin was used in combination with insulin or an insulin secretagogue, the incidence of confirmed hypoglycemia was increased over that of placebo used in combination with insulin or an insulin secretagogue [ see Adverse Reactions (6.1) ].
Therefore, a lower dosage of insulin or an insulin secretagogue may be required to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with saxagliptin [ see Drug Interactions (7.2)].
Insulin or Insulin Secretagogues Insulin and insulin secretagogues are known to cause hypoglycemia.
Concomitant use of saxagliptin tablets with insulin or an insulin secretagogue may require lower dosages of insulin or the insulin secretagogue to reduce the risk of hypoglycemia [see Warnings and Precautions (5.3)].
Taking more than these two? Interactions stack. Check your whole list at once; it stays in your browser.
Open in the checkerNot medical advice. Interaction Checker quotes FDA label text and NIH fact sheets. Whether an interaction matters for you depends on doses, timing, kidney and liver function, and other conditions. Confirm with a pharmacist or prescriber.