Drug Interactions With Inhaled Insulin

When certain medications are combined, there is a potential for drug interactions. With inhaled insulin, taking it with certain decongestants, oral contraceptives, or beta blockers can lead to problems. These interactions can make the inhaled insulin less effective or can increase your risk of high or low blood sugar. If drug interactions with inhaled insulin are a concern, your healthcare provider may adjust your dosage.

In October 2007, Pfizer announced it will stop making inhaled insulin. This decision was voluntary and was not based on any safety concern; Pfizer states that their inhaled insulin product (Exubera) has not met its expectations in terms of sales. Starting in October 2007, it will be available for an additional three months, which will give people enough time to change from inhaled insulin to another type of insulin or other diabetes medication.

 

An Overview of Drug Interactions With Inhaled Insulin

Inhaled insulin (Exubera®) can potentially interact with many different medications. Some of the drugs that may lead to interactions with inhaled insulin include:
 
  • ACE inhibitors, including:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
    • Betamethasone (Celestone®)
    • Cortisone
    • Dexamethasone (Decadron®)
    • Fludrocortisone (Florinef®)
    • Hydrocortisone (Cortef®)
    • Methylprednisolone (Depo-Medrol®, Medrol®)
    • Prednisolone (Ovapred®, Pediapred®)
    • Prednisone
    • Triamcinolone (Kenalog®, Aristospan®) 
 
  • Danazol (Danocrine®)
     
  • Diuretics, such as:
 
 
 
 
 
 
  • Propoxyphene (Darvon®, Darvocet®)
     
  • Protease inhibitors, such as:
 
 
  • Salicylates, such as:
 
    • Salsalate (Salflex®, Disalcid®, Amigesic®)
 
  • Sulfonamides ("sulfa drugs"), including:
 
    • Sulfadiazine
    • Sulfadoxine (Fansidar®)
    • Sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim®, Septra®)
    • Sulfisoxazole (Gantrisin®)
 
  • Thyroid medications, such as:
 
 

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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;
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