Drug Interactions between grepafloxacin and insulin degludec / liraglutide

MONITOR CLOSELY: Quinolone antibiotics may interfere with the therapeutic effects of insulin and other antidiabetic agents. The use of quinolones has been associated with disturbances in blood glucose homeostasis possibly stemming from effects on pancreatic beta cell ATP-sensitive potassium channels that regulate insulin secretion. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia have been reported, usually in diabetic patients receiving concomitant treatment with an oral hypoglycemic agent or insulin. Although hyperglycemia is significantly more common and infection itself may be an underlying risk factor, hypoglycemia may cause greater morbidity and mortality. An internal safety review conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified at least 67 reports of severe hypoglycemia associated with quinolone use resulting in coma, death, or permanent and disabling injuries, primarily in elderly and diabetic patients with renal impairment and/or complicated infections. This is in addition to the numerous cases that have been reported for gatifloxacin, which led to its withdrawal from the U.S. market in 2008. Of the five quinolones that the FDA reviewed, levofloxacin had the most cases (44), followed by ciprofloxacin (12), moxifloxacin (9), ofloxacin (2), and gemifloxacin (0). Other quinolones such as nalidixic acid and norfloxacin, as well as some others that have never been marketed or are no longer marketed such as clinafloxacin and temafloxacin, have also been associated with dysglycemia, thus it is generally believed to be a class effect, albeit with varying risks amongst the individual agents. Available data also seem to indicate different time frames for the development of hypo- and hyperglycemia, with the former generally occurring within 1 to 3 days following quinolone initiation and the latter within 4 to 10 days later. Pharmacokinetically, ciprofloxacin is also a known inhibitor of CYP450 1A2 and 3A4 and may inhibit the hepatic metabolism of glyburide. Hypoglycemia in association with elevated serum glyburide level occurred in a patient after one week of ciprofloxacin therapy.

MANAGEMENT: Blood glucose should be closely monitored whenever quinolones are prescribed to diabetic patients, especially if they are elderly, have renal impairment, or are severely ill. Due to the risk of profound and potentially life-threatening hypoglycemia, particular caution is advised during concomitant use of insulin and insulin secretagogues (e.g., sulfonylureas, meglitinides). Patients should also be apprised of the increased risk of hypoglycemia and be alert to potential signs and symptoms such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, confusion, tremor, hunger, weakness, perspiration, palpitation, and tachycardia. If hypoglycemia occurs, patients should initiate appropriate remedial therapy immediately, discontinue the quinolone, and contact their physician. Alternative antibiotics may need to be considered.

Switch to consumer interaction data

MONITOR: Quinolone antibiotics may interfere with the therapeutic effects of insulin and other antidiabetic agents. The use of quinolones has been associated with disturbances in blood glucose homeostasis possibly stemming from effects on pancreatic beta cell ATP-sensitive potassium channels that regulate insulin secretion. Both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia have been reported, usually in diabetic patients receiving concomitant treatment with an oral hypoglycemic agent (e.g., sulfonylurea) or insulin. Although hyperglycemia is significantly more common and infection itself may be an underlying risk factor, hypoglycemia may cause greater morbidity and mortality. An internal safety review conducted by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) identified at least 67 reports of severe hypoglycemia associated with quinolone use resulting in coma, death, or permanent and disabling injuries, primarily in elderly and diabetic patients with renal impairment and/or complicated infections. This is in addition to the numerous cases that have been reported for gatifloxacin, which led to its withdrawal from the U.S. market in 2008. Of the five quinolones that the FDA reviewed, levofloxacin had the most cases (44), followed by ciprofloxacin (12), moxifloxacin (9), ofloxacin (2), and gemifloxacin (0). Other quinolones such as nalidixic acid and norfloxacin, as well as some others that have never been marketed or are no longer marketed such as clinafloxacin and temafloxacin, have also been associated with dysglycemia, thus it is generally believed to be a class effect, albeit with varying risks amongst the individual agents. Available data also seem to indicate different time frames for the development of hypo- and hyperglycemia, with the former generally occurring within 1 to 3 days following quinolone initiation and the latter within 4 to 10 days later.

MANAGEMENT: Blood glucose should be closely monitored whenever quinolones are prescribed to diabetic patients, especially if they are elderly, have renal impairment, or are severely ill. Patients should be apprised of the increased risk of dysglycemia and be particularly alert to potential signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia such as headache, dizziness, drowsiness, nervousness, confusion, tremor, hunger, weakness, perspiration, palpitation, and tachycardia. If hypoglycemia occurs, patients should initiate appropriate remedial therapy immediately, discontinue the quinolone, and contact their physician. Alternative antibiotics may need to be considered.

Switch to consumer interaction data

ADJUST DOSE: Coadministration of a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist or dual GLP-1 and glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide (GIP) receptor agonist with insulin may potentiate the risk of hypoglycemia. GLP-1 receptor agonists and dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists lower blood glucose by stimulating insulin secretion and lowering glucagon secretion. An increased incidence of hypoglycemia has been observed in patients treated with a combination of basal insulin and GLP-1 or dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists. Additionally, patients with diabetic retinopathy who received treatment with basal insulin and subcutaneous semaglutide in one clinical trial had an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy complications. Rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy, but other mechanisms cannot be excluded. The safety and efficacy of GLP-1 or dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonists in combination with non-basal insulin have not been established.

MANAGEMENT: When a GLP-1 receptor agonist or dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist is used as add-on therapy to basal insulin, a lower dosage of insulin may be required. Some clinical trials have reduced the basal insulin dose by 20% in patients with a baseline hemoglobin A1c <= 8% when a GLP-1 or dual GLP-1 and GIP receptor agonist was initiated. Because diabetic ketoacidosis has been reported in insulin-dependent patients after rapid discontinuation or dose reduction of insulin, a stepwise approach to insulin dose reduction is recommended and blood glucose levels should be closely monitored. Patients should receive guidance on the recognition and management of hypoglycemia as well as precautions to take to avoid hypoglycemia, particularly while driving or operating hazardous machinery. Those with diabetic retinopathy should also be monitored for progression of the condition or complications. A rapid improvement in glucose control has been associated with a temporary worsening of diabetic retinopathy.

Switch to consumer interaction data