Levemir interactions: Alcohol, medications, and other factors

Levemir interactions with other medications

Before you start treatment with Levemir, tell your doctor and pharmacist which prescription, over-the-counter, and other medications you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions. (To learn whether Levemir interacts with supplements, herbs, or vitamins, see the “Levemir and other interactions” section.)

If you have questions about drug interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Here’s a table of drugs that can interact with Levemir. Keep in mind that this table doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with Levemir. Some of these interactions are described in detail in “Drug interactions in depth.”

When to avoid Levemir

In some cases, factors or conditions could prevent your doctor from prescribing Levemir due to the risk of harm. These are known as contraindications. The contraindications of Levemir include:

Having had an allergic reaction to Levemir or any of its ingredients

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Levemir or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Levemir. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.

Note: Before you start treatment with Levemir, it’s important to tell your doctor if this contraindication applies to you. They can determine whether to prescribe Levemir.

During an episode of hypoglycemia

If you’re having an episode of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar), you should not take Levemir. This is because Levemir lowers your blood sugar. If you have hypoglycemia, taking Levemir will lower your blood sugar even further, which can be life threatening.

Before you start treatment with Levemir, talk with your doctor about how to manage episodes of hypoglycemia. Also, talk with your doctor about when to check your blood sugar levels during treatment.

Levemir interaction with alcohol

Your doctor may advise you to avoid or limit alcohol consumption during Levemir treatment. This is because alcohol and Levemir can both cause hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). So drinking alcohol with Levemir can raise your risk of hypoglycemia.

If you have questions about drinking alcohol while taking Levemir, talk with your doctor.

Drug interactions in depth

Here’s a closer look at certain drug interactions of Levemir.

Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers are used to treat high blood pressure and certain heart conditions. Doctors may prescribe beta-blockers to help lower the risk of heart disease and stroke in people with diabetes.

Interaction result: Taking Levemir with a beta-blocker may have unpredictable effects on your blood sugar. It may also mask certain symptoms of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Interaction explained: Levemir lowers your blood sugar levels and can cause hypoglycemia as a side effect. Some beta-blockers may worsen episodes of hypoglycemia. But other beta-blockers may increase your blood sugar levels, which can make Levemir less effective.

Symptoms of hypoglycemia can include tremors, sweating, and increased heart rate. If you have hypoglycemia while taking a beta-blocker, these symptoms may not be as noticeable. That’s because beta-blockers slow your heart rate and reduce tremors and sweating.

Note that beta-blockers don’t reduce other symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as headache, dizziness, nervousness, mood changes, and hunger.

Examples of beta-blocker drugs: Here are some beta-blockers that may interact with Levemir:

• atenolol (Tenormin)
• metoprolol (Lopressor)
• propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If your doctor prescribes Levemir with a beta-blocker, talk with them about how often you should check your blood sugar levels.

If you take these medications together, keep in mind that your warning symptoms of hypoglycemia may change.

If you have questions about taking Levemir with a beta-blocker, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs that can increase blood sugar levels

Certain medications can increase your blood sugar levels. This is a well-known side effect of corticosteroids, certain antipsychotics, and certain HIV drugs.

Interaction result: Taking Levemir with drugs that increase blood sugar levels can make Levemir less effective at managing your blood sugar.

Interaction explained: Levemir is a long-acting insulin that lowers your blood sugar levels. It helps manage your blood sugar over a 24-hour period. Drugs that increase your blood sugar levels counteract this effect of Levemir.

Examples of drugs that can increase blood sugar levels: Here are some drugs that increase blood sugar that may interact with Levemir:

• certain antipsychotics, such as aripiprazole (Abilify)
• corticosteroids, such as prednisone (Rayos)
• decongestants, such as pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• HIV protease inhibitors, such as atazanavir (Reyataz)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If you take Levemir with drugs that can increase blood sugar levels, your doctor may recommend checking your blood sugar levels more often. If needed, your doctor may recommend increasing your dosage of Levemir to help manage your blood sugar.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about when to check your blood sugar and what your dosage of Levemir should be.

If you have questions about taking Levemir with drugs that can increase blood sugar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Drugs that can lower blood sugar levels

Certain medications can lower your blood sugar levels. This is a side effect of certain blood pressure medications, fibrates for lowering cholesterol, and some antidepressants.

Interaction result: Taking Levemir with drugs that lower blood sugar levels can raise your risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar).

Interaction explained: Levemir is a long-acting insulin that lowers your blood sugar levels. It helps manage your blood sugar over a 24-hour period. Drugs that lower blood sugar increase this effect of Levemir. This can make your blood sugar fall too low.

Examples of drugs that can lower blood sugar levels: Here are some drugs that can lower blood sugar that may interact with Levemir:

• ACE inhibitors, such as lisinopril (Zestril)
• angiotensin receptor blockers, such as losartan (Cozaar)
• fibrates for high cholesterol, such as fenofibrate (Lipofen, others)
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), such as phenelzine (Nardil)
• the antimalarial drug, chloroquine
• the antibiotic drug, clarithromycin
• the heart rhythm drug, disopyramide (Norpace)
• the antidepressant fluoxetine (Prozac)

Steps you or your doctor may take: If you take Levemir with drugs that can lower blood sugar levels, your doctor may recommend checking your blood sugar levels more often. If needed, your doctor may recommend reducing your dosage of Levemir to help prevent hypoglycemia.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about when to check your blood sugar and what your dosage of Levemir should be. Also, talk with your doctor about how to recognize symptoms of hypoglycemia and how to manage hypoglycemia if it occurs.

If you have questions about taking Levemir with drugs that can lower blood sugar, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Levemir and other interactions

Levemir may have other interactions, such as with supplements, foods, vaccines, or even lab tests. You’ll find details below. Keep in mind that the following information does not include all other possible interactions with Levemir.

Levemir interactions with supplements

Before you start treatment with Levemir, tell your doctor and pharmacist which supplements, herbs, and vitamins you take. By sharing this information with them, you may help prevent possible interactions.

Levemir may interact with garlic supplements. Some people take these supplements to help manage their blood sugar levels.

However, if you take garlic supplements with Levemir, both products can decrease your blood sugar levels. This can increase your risk of having hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Due to this, your doctor may recommend avoiding garlic supplements while taking Levemir.

If you have questions about other supplement interactions that may affect you, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Levemir interactions with herbs

There are no specific reports of herbs interacting with Levemir. However, that doesn’t mean herbal interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, it’s important to check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products during Levemir treatment.

Levemir interactions with vitamins and minerals

There are no specific reports of vitamins interacting with Levemir. However, that doesn’t mean vitamin interactions won’t occur or be recognized in the future. Because of this, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any vitamin product with Levemir.

Levemir may interact with a mineral called chromium. Some people take this supplement to help manage their blood sugar levels.

However, if you take chromium with Levemir, both products can decrease your blood sugar levels. This can increase your risk of having hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Due to this, your doctor may recommend avoiding chromium supplements while taking Levemir.

It’s also important to note that some multivitamins may also contain minerals such as chromium. Talk with your doctor to determine which multivitamin is best for you.

Levemir interactions with food

Although garlic supplements may interact with Levemir, there were no reports of garlic-containing food interacting with the drug. The amount of garlic consumed in food is usually small and divided into multiple servings. The quantity of garlic consumed would likely be much less than what’s in a garlic supplement.

Levemir may interact with green tea. Specifically, Levemir and green tea can both decrease your blood sugar levels. This can increase your risk of having hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Because of this interaction, your doctor will likely recommend limiting how much green tea you consume during Levemir treatment.

If you have additional questions or want more information about eating certain foods during Levemir treatment, talk with your doctor.

Levemir interactions with vaccines

There aren’t any known interactions between Levemir and vaccines. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist to see whether you’re due for any vaccines.

Levemir interactions with lab tests

Levemir may interact with certain lab tests. Specifically, it may interact with a test used to diagnose growth hormone deficiency, called the macimorelin growth hormone test.

If you take Levemir, your doctor will likely use different tests to help diagnose this condition.

For additional information, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

LEVEMIR INTERACTION WITH CANNABIS OR CBD

Cannabis (often called marijuana) and cannabis products, such as cannabidiol (CBD), have not been specifically reported to interact with Levemir. However, as with any drug or supplement, talk with your doctor before using cannabis in combination with Levemir. The impact of cannabis may affect how well you stick to your Levemir treatment plan.

Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.

Levemir and health-related interactions

Certain medical conditions and other factors may increase the risk of interactions with Levemir. Before you take this drug, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history. Levemir may not be the right treatment option if you have certain medical conditions or other factors affecting your health.

Health conditions or factors that might interact with Levemir include:

• Kidney or liver problems: If you have kidney or liver problems, you may have a raised risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) with Levemir. Talk with your doctor about how often you should check your blood sugar levels.
• Allergic reaction: If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Levemir or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe Levemir. Taking the drug could cause another allergic reaction. You can ask them about other treatments that may be better choices for you.
• Breastfeeding: Levemir is generally considered safe to use while breastfeeding. The drug passes into breast milk, but no side effects of Levemir have been reported in breastfed children. That said, if you’re breastfeeding or planning to, talk with your doctor before using Levemir. They can talk with you about treatment options and ways to feed a child who is breastfed.
• Pregnancy: Levemir is generally considered safe to use while pregnant. That said, if you’re pregnant or planning to become pregnant, you should talk with your doctor before starting Levemir. They can advise you on the right treatment plan for you. Your body’s insulin requirements are likely to change during pregnancy.

Preventing interactions

You can take certain steps to help prevent interactions with Levemir. Your doctor and pharmacist are key resources, so reach out to them before starting treatment. For example, you should plan to do the following:

• Let them know if you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
• Tell them about any other medications you take, as well as any supplements, herbs, and vitamins.
• Create a medication listTrusted Source, which your doctor and pharmacist can help you fill out.

It’s also important to read the Levemir label and other paperworkTrusted Source that may come with the drug. The label may have colored stickers that mention an interaction. And the paperwork, sometimes called the medication guide or patient package insert, may contain details about interactions.

If Levemir doesn’t come with paperwork, you can ask your pharmacist to print a copy. If you need help reading or understanding this information, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

You can also help prevent interactions with Levemir by taking it exactly as your doctor prescribes.

Disclaimer: Medical News Today has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.