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Drug Interactions between Actos and insulin

This report displays the potential drug interactions for the following 2 drugs:

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Interactions between your drugs

Moderate

insulin pioglitazone

Applies to: insulin and Actos (pioglitazone)

MONITOR: Coadministration of a thiazolidinedione in combination with insulin may increase the risk of edema compared to insulin alone. The mechanism is unknown but may involve enhancement of the antinatriuretic and/or peripheral vasodilatory effects of insulin. In a study of 319 type 2 diabetic patients inadequately controlled on twice-daily insulin monotherapy, edema occurred in 13.1% and 16.2% of the patients coadministered rosiglitazone 4 mg/day and 8 mg/day, respectively, compared to 4.7% of those coadministered a matching placebo. Small but statistically significant decreases in hemoglobin and hematocrit were also observed with rosiglitazone compared to placebo. These events were classified as mild to moderate and not considered serious. In a similar study involving 566 patients on stable insulin monotherapy, mild or moderate edema occurred in 12.6% and 17.6% of patients who received pioglitazone 15 mg/day and 30 mg/day, respectively, compared to 7.0% of those who received placebo. Additionally, mild or moderate hypoglycemia occurred in 8% and 15% of patients who received pioglitazone 15 mg/day and 30 mg/day, respectively, compared to 5.0% of those who received placebo. Also, mean change from baseline body weight was 2.3 kg for the 15 mg pioglitazone group and 3.7 kg for the 30 mg pioglitazone group, whereas no change occurred in the placebo group. In a retrospective study of 79 patients who were initially on a thiazolidinedione or insulin separately but were subsequently given both in combination, 20 patients (25.3%) developed edema during the combination, compared to 7 of 71 patients (9.9%) during insulin alone and 1 of 8 patients (12.5%) during thiazolidinedione alone. The mean time to onset of edema was 135 days once combination therapy was initiated. There was no documentation of new-onset or exacerbation of congestive heart failure during combination therapy. However, one patient developed flash pulmonary edema after 2 months of combination therapy and died.

MANAGEMENT: Caution is advised during coadministration of thiazolidinedione and insulin therapy. Patients at risk for heart failure should be closely monitored. Patients should be advised to notify their physician immediately if they experience signs and symptoms of heart failure such as fluid retention, edema, rapid weight gain, or shortness of breath. Patients should also be apprised of the increased risk of hypoglycemia and be alert to potential signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, hunger, tremor, weakness, sweating, palpitations.

References

  1. Raskin P, Rendell M, Riddle MC, Dole JF, Freed MI, Rosenstock J "A randomized trial of rosiglitazone therapy in patients with inadequately controlled insulin-treated type 2 diabetes." Diabetes Care 24 (2001): 1226-32
  2. King KA, Levi VE "Prevalence of edema in patients receiving combination therapy with insulin and thiazolidinedione." Am J Health Syst Pharm 61 (2004): 390-3
  3. Rosenstock J, Einhorn D, Hershon K, Glazer NB "Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone in type 2 diabetes: a randomised, placebo-controlled study in patients receiving stable insulin therapy." Int J Clin Pract 56 (2002): 251-7

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Drug and food interactions

Moderate

insulin food

Applies to: insulin

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

References

  1. Jerntorp P, Almer LO "Chlorpropamide-alcohol flushing in relation to macroangiopathy and peripheral neuropathy in non-insulin dependent diabetes." Acta Med Scand 656 (1981): 33-6
  2. Jerntorp P, Almer LO, Holin H, et al. "Plasma chlorpropamide: a critical factor in chlorpropamide-alcohol flush." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 24 (1983): 237-42
  3. Barnett AH, Spiliopoulos AJ, Pyke DA, et al. "Metabolic studies in chlorpropamide-alcohol flush positive and negative type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetic patients with and without retinopathy." Diabetologia 24 (1983): 213-5
  4. Hartling SG, Faber OK, Wegmann ML, Wahlin-Boll E, Melander A "Interaction of ethanol and glipizide in humans." Diabetes Care 10 (1987): 683-6
  5. "Product Information. Diabinese (chlorpropamide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals PROD (2002):
  6. "Product Information. Glucotrol (glipizide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals PROD (2002):
  7. "Product Information. Diabeta (glyburide)." Hoechst Marion-Roussel Inc, Kansas City, MO.
  8. Skillman TG, Feldman JM "The pharmacology of sulfonylureas." Am J Med 70 (1981): 361-72
  9. "Position Statement: evidence-based nutrition principles and recommendations for the treatment and prevention of diabetes related complications. American Diabetes Association." Diabetes Care 25(Suppl 1) (2002): S50-S60
  10. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
View all 10 references

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Moderate

pioglitazone food

Applies to: Actos (pioglitazone)

GENERALLY AVOID: Alcohol may cause hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia in patients with diabetes. Hypoglycemia most frequently occurs during acute consumption of alcohol. Even modest amounts can lower blood sugar significantly, especially when the alcohol is ingested on an empty stomach or following exercise. The mechanism involves inhibition of both gluconeogenesis as well as the counter-regulatory response to hypoglycemia. Episodes of hypoglycemia may last for 8 to 12 hours after ethanol ingestion. By contrast, chronic alcohol abuse can cause impaired glucose tolerance and hyperglycemia. Moderate alcohol consumption generally does not affect blood glucose levels in patients with well controlled diabetes. A disulfiram-like reaction (e.g., flushing, headache, and nausea) to alcohol has been reported frequently with the use of chlorpropamide and very rarely with other sulfonylureas.

MANAGEMENT: Patients with diabetes should avoid consuming alcohol if their blood glucose is not well controlled, or if they have hypertriglyceridemia, neuropathy, or pancreatitis. Patients with well controlled diabetes should limit their alcohol intake to one drink daily for women and two drinks daily for men (1 drink = 5 oz wine, 12 oz beer, or 1.5 oz distilled spirits) in conjunction with their normal meal plan. Alcohol should not be consumed on an empty stomach or following exercise.

References

  1. Jerntorp P, Almer LO "Chlorpropamide-alcohol flushing in relation to macroangiopathy and peripheral neuropathy in non-insulin dependent diabetes." Acta Med Scand 656 (1981): 33-6
  2. Jerntorp P, Almer LO, Holin H, et al. "Plasma chlorpropamide: a critical factor in chlorpropamide-alcohol flush." Eur J Clin Pharmacol 24 (1983): 237-42
  3. Barnett AH, Spiliopoulos AJ, Pyke DA, et al. "Metabolic studies in chlorpropamide-alcohol flush positive and negative type 2 (non-insulin dependent) diabetic patients with and without retinopathy." Diabetologia 24 (1983): 213-5
  4. Hartling SG, Faber OK, Wegmann ML, Wahlin-Boll E, Melander A "Interaction of ethanol and glipizide in humans." Diabetes Care 10 (1987): 683-6
  5. "Product Information. Diabinese (chlorpropamide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals PROD (2002):
  6. "Product Information. Glucotrol (glipizide)." Pfizer U.S. Pharmaceuticals PROD (2002):
  7. "Product Information. Diabeta (glyburide)." Hoechst Marion-Roussel Inc, Kansas City, MO.
  8. Skillman TG, Feldman JM "The pharmacology of sulfonylureas." Am J Med 70 (1981): 361-72
  9. "Position Statement: evidence-based nutrition principles and recommendations for the treatment and prevention of diabetes related complications. American Diabetes Association." Diabetes Care 25(Suppl 1) (2002): S50-S60
  10. Cerner Multum, Inc. "UK Summary of Product Characteristics." O 0
View all 10 references

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Therapeutic duplication warnings

No warnings were found for your selected drugs.

Therapeutic duplication warnings are only returned when drugs within the same group exceed the recommended therapeutic duplication maximum.

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Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

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