Humulin R Drug Interactions

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Humulin R Drug Interactions
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;

When certain medications are taken in combination with Humulin R, drug interactions could occur that may affect blood sugar levels. Some of these medicines include fibrate cholesterol medications, sulfonamide antibiotics, and beta blockers. Since Humulin R interactions can result in dangerously low blood sugar, it is important that you notify your healthcare provider any time you start, stop, or change the dose of any medication.

An Overview of Humulin R Drug Interactions
Many medications can affect blood sugar and may, therefore, interact with Humulin® R (regular insulin). Many of these potential drug interactions are dangerous, while others are not. Some interactions may increase blood sugar levels, which is not healthy, but is usually not dangerous right away (although extremely high blood sugar can be dangerous if left untreated). These drug interactions are not discussed in this article. Typically, such interactions are discovered (by regular blood sugar monitoring) and managed before any problems occur.

Other Humulin R drug interactions can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which can become quite dangerous very quickly. Some of the medicines that may cause dangerously low blood sugar when combined with Humulin R include:


* Alcoholic beverages
* Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors), such as:



o Benazepril (Lotensin®, Lotensin® HCT, Lotrel®)
o Captopril (Capoten®, Capozide®)
o Enalapril (Vasotec®, Vaseretic®, Lexxel®)
o Fosinopril (Monopril®, Monopril-HCT®)
o Lisinopril (Prinivil®, Prinizide®, Zestril®, Zestoretic®)
o Quinapril (Accupril®, Accuretic®)
o Ramipril (Altace®)



* Beta blockers, including (but not limited to):



o Atenolol (Tenormin®)
o Bisoprolol (Zebeta®)
o Metoprolol (Lopressor®, Toprol XL®)
o Nadolol (Corgard®)
o Propranolol (Inderal®)
o Sotalol (Betapace®)
o Timolol (Blocadren®)
o Carvedilol (Coreg®)
o Labetalol (Trandate®)



* Disopyramide (Norpace®, Norpace® CR)
* Fibrate cholesterol medications, such as:



o Fenofibrate (Antara™, Lofibra™, Tricor®, Triglide™)
o Gemfibrozil (Lopid®)



* Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as:



o Isocarboxazid (Marplan®)
o Phenelzine (Nardil®)
o Rasagiline (Azilect®)
o Selegiline (Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Zelapar®)
o Tranylcypromine (Parnate®)



* Octreotide (Sandostatin®)
* Oral diabetes medications
* Propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®)
* Reserpine
* Salicylates, such as:



o Aspirin (Ecotrin®, Bayer®, Anacin®)
o Choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate®)
o Diflunisal (Dolobid®)
o Salsalate (Salflex®, Disalcid®, Amigesic®)



* Sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfa drugs"), such as:



o Sulfadiazine
o Sulfadoxine (Fansidar®)
o Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®, Septra®)
o Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin®).
Humulin R Interactions Explained
Any of the medications discussed in this article may increase the risk of low blood sugar when combined with Humulin R (or any other insulin medications). Therefore, it is a good idea to check with your healthcare provider before you take any of these medications with Humulin R. Your healthcare provider may recommend that you monitor your blood sugar levels more closely for a while to see if you need to adjust your Humulin R dosage. In some cases, an alternative medication that does not cause interactions may be recommended.

It is also important to check with your healthcare provider any time you stop taking any of the medications listed in this article or any time your dose is adjusted. Again, you may need to monitor your blood sugar levels more closely for a while, and your healthcare provider may need to adjust your dose of Humulin R.

Final Thoughts on Humulin R Drug Interactions
Many Humulin R drug interactions were not discussed in this article, including interactions that may cause high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). These interactions are usually not dangerous, although they may become dangerous if they are not treated. In these cases, you may need to have your Humulin R dosage adjusted. It is a good idea to get into the practice of checking with your healthcare provider any time you start, stop, or change the dose of any medication, including non-prescription medications.

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