Levemir Drug Interactions

When certain medications are combined with Levemir, drug interactions may occur. Some of these interactions can result in dangerously low blood sugar levels, while others may increase blood sugar levels (although this is not typically dangerous). Some of the medications that can cause Levemir drug interactions and result in low blood sugar include ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, and MAOIs.

 

Levemir Drug Interactions: An Overview

 Levemir® (insulin detemir) can potentially interact with several medications, too many to list. Some Levemir drug interactions can result in low blood sugar levels (hypoglycemia), which can be quite dangerous. Other interactions (which are not discussed in this article) may increase blood sugar levels, which is not healthy, but is usually not dangerous. Some of the medicines that may cause dangerously low blood sugar when combined with Levemir include:
 
  • ACE inhibitors, such as:
 
 
  • Alcohol
  • Beta blockers, such as:
 
 
  • Disopyramide (Norpace®, Norpace® CR)
  • Fibrates, such as:
 
 
  • Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as:
 
 
  • Octreotide (Sandostatin®)
  • Oral diabetes medications
  • Propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®)
  • Reserpine
     
  • Salicylates, such as:
 
    • Aspirin (Ecotrin®, Bayer®, Anacin®)
    • Choline magnesium trisalicylate (Trilisate®)
    • Diflunisal (Dolobid®)
    • Salsalate (Salflex®, Disalcid®, Amigesic®)
 
  • Sulfonamide antibiotics ("sulfa drugs"), such as:
 
    • Sulfadiazine
    • Sulfadoxine (Fansidar®)
    • Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®, Septra®)
    • Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin®).
 
(Levemir Drug Interactions Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;