Insulin glargine and Metformin interaction
Insulin glargine and Metformin: 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 glargine label · effective 2026-01-23
For patients with type 2 diabetes, dosage adjustments of concomitant oral and antidiabetic products may be needed.
Risk Factors for Hypoglycemia The risk of hypoglycemia after an injection is related to the duration of action of the insulin and, in general, is highest when the glucose lowering effect of the insulin is maximal.
Table 8: Clinically Significant Drug Interactions with Insulin Glargine-yfgn 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), sulfonamide…
Drugs that May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Insulin Glargine-yfgn 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…
Drugs that May Increase or Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Insulin Glargine-yfgn Drugs: Alcohol, beta-blockers, clonidine, and lithium salts.
From the Metformin (Metformin hydrochloride) label · effective 2024-11-14
Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues : Increased risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue.
Lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required.
Hypoglycemia with Concomitant Use with Insulin and Insulin Secretagogues Insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylurea) are known to cause hypoglycemia.
Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets may increase the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with insulin and/or an insulin secretagogue.
Therefore, a lower dose of insulin or insulin secretagogue may be required to minimize the risk of hypoglycemia when used in combination with Metformin Hydrochloride Extended-Release Tablets [see Drug Interactions ( 7 )] .
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.