Insulin
Learn what to review when considering Insulin alongside other products. This reference covers interaction questions for several insulin types and brands.
1 supplements in this library have a recorded interaction with this medication
Dangerous combinations
Supplements recorded as risky with this medication1 listedHighest severity first
- →SupplementsChagaTheoreticalCaution
Chaga may be a potentially dangerous combination with insulin; consult a healthcare provider before combining them.
- Trade names
- Insulin glargine (Lantus), Insulin lispro (Humalog), Insulin aspart (NovoLog), NPH insulin
- family
- antidiabetics
Full write-up
What is it
Insulin is a metabolic drug in the antidiabetics family, generally used in diabetes care. Types and brands include Insulin glargine (Lantus), Insulin lispro (Humalog), Insulin aspart (NovoLog), and NPH insulin.
This page is an educational reference for reviewing interaction questions involving these insulin types and brands alongside other products. Anyone considering interactions in the context of a medical condition should consult a clinician.
What interacts with it
The main concern with insulin is additive glucose lowering, which can result in hypoglycemia. This applies to supplements such as Aloe Vera, Alpha-Lipoic Acid (ALA), Apple Cider Vinegar, Garlic, Panax Ginseng, Berberine, Ginger, Black Seed Oil, Holy Basil (Tulsi), Lemon Balm (Melissa), and Coenzyme Q10. Similar concerns apply to American Ginseng, Astragalus, Black Elderberry, Chlorella, Cordyceps, Chaga, and Inositol. Discussing these combinations with a prescriber or pharmacist is important because glucose monitoring and insulin dose adjustment may be needed.
Physical activity can also increase insulin’s glucose-lowering effect. Cycling increases glucose uptake, while Hatha Yoga may lower glucose during or after practice, particularly when activity is not well timed with meals or medication. People using insulin should discuss how these practices fit with their treatment and glucose monitoring.
Vitamin C presents a different concern, especially after intravenous dosing. High circulating ascorbate can falsely elevate readings on susceptible point-of-care glucose meters. Treating a false high reading with insulin can cause severe hypoglycemia, so glucose may need confirmation by a laboratory method.
Some interactions are precautionary rather than established. For Bacopa Monnieri, L-Carnitine, L-Leucine, and BCAA, human interaction evidence is limited, absent, or not established, but possible effects on glucose handling or insulin sensitivity support discussing use with a healthcare professional and monitoring glucose. These concerns do not mean every combination will cause a problem; the relevant risk depends on the person’s glucose control, insulin regimen, meals, activity, and other factors.