What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Glucagon and insulin degludec
Insulin degludec's FDA label of July 1, 2022 names glucagon in its drug interactions section; glucagon's label does not name insulin degludec itself but warns about its class (insulin analogs). The insulin degludec label: “Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Insulin Degludec Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics, corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives …”
Check it at the source: the glucagon FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 11, 2026, Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc.); the insulin degludec FDA label on DailyMed (effective July 1, 2022, Novo Nordisk Pharma, Inc.).
What does the glucagon label say about insulin degludec?
Glucagon's label does not name insulin degludec itself; it warns about its class (insulin analogs):
Glucagon label, drug interactionsMonitor blood glucose when Glucagon for Injection is used as a diagnostic aid in patients receiving insulin.
Glucagon label, warnings and precautionsIn patients with insulinoma, glucagon administration may produce an initial increase in blood glucose; however, Glucagon for Injection may stimulate exaggerated insulin release from an insulinoma and cause hypoglycemia.
Source: FDA drug label (Glucagon), Amphastar Pharmaceuticals, Inc., effective August 11, 2026 (SPL set 8cc40354-b5ac-45b6-a211-93b44444f2a3), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the insulin degludec label say about glucagon?
Insulin degludec label, drug interactionsDrugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of Insulin Degludec Drugs: Atypical antipsychotics (e.g., olanzapine and clozapine), corticosteroids, danazol, diuretics, estrogens, glucagon, isoniazid, niacin, oral contraceptives, phenothiazines, progestogens (e.g., in oral contraceptives), protease inhibitors, somatropin, sympathomimetic agents (e.g., albuterol, epinephrine, terbutaline), and thyroid hormones. Intervention: Dosage increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be required when Insulin Degludec is co-administered with these drugs.
Source: FDA drug label (Insulin Degludec), Novo Nordisk Pharma, Inc., effective July 1, 2022 (SPL set c1be283d-4b1d-4996-b2a7-4488dbff3037), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Glucagon | Insulin degludec | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | n/a | Type 2 diabetes, Type 1 diabetes |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $154.20 per kit 1 mg emergency kit | $11.39 per mL 100 unit/mL pen |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once