Drug Interactions between Doxy-Lemmon and repaglinide

Consumer information for this interaction is not currently available.

MONITOR: Tetracyclines may enhance the hypoglycemic effects of insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas, meglitinides). The exact mechanism is unknown; however, proposed mechanisms include increasing the sensitivity of insulin, increasing the half-life of insulin via inhibition of insulin degradation in the liver, interference with epinephrine-induced hyperglycemia via inhibition of glycogenolysis, and tetracycline-induced hepatotoxicity. The authors of one study suggest that tetracycline may also be able to inhibit alpha-amylase and/or alpha-glucosidase, as substrates for these enzymes have similar functional groups to those found in tetracycline. There are case reports available documenting hypoglycemia for patients on doxycycline and one case report demonstrating improved insulin sensitivity in a patient on minocycline. It is possible that other tetracyclines may possess similar abilities to lower glucose levels.

MANAGEMENT: Blood glucose should be monitored more closely during therapy with a tetracycline antibiotic. As the effects of the antibiotic may persist beyond the last dose, it is possible that patients may need to be monitored more closely until the antibiotic is fully eliminated from their body, which will differ depending on the half-life of the antibiotic involved. Insulin and insulin secretagogues may require dosage adjustments if an interaction is suspected. Patients should be apprised of the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia (e.g., headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nausea, hunger, tremor, weakness, sweating, palpitations), how to treat it, and to contact their doctor if it occurs unexpectedly. Conversely, patients should be observed for loss of glycemic control following completion of tetracycline therapy.