Wellness Nutrition Eat Well Medications That Could Interact With GLP-1s By Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH Kirstyn Hill, PharmD, MPH Kirstyn Hill has worked as a clinical pediatric and women’s health pharmacist since 2020. She was driven to work with a patient population that is not often able to easily speak up for themselves and require unique approaches to medical counseling and understanding of their health conditions. Kirstyn is also a healthcare writer; she is passionate about closing education gaps between healthcare and the community. health's editorial guidelines Published on October 29, 2024 Medically reviewed by Alex Yampolsky, PharmD Medically reviewed by Alex Yampolsky, PharmD Alex Yampolsky, PharmD, is a pediatric clinical pharmacist at Elizabeth Seton Children’s center where he optimizes the comfort and care of his patients. learn more Close blackCAT / Getty Images Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a class of medications primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes. GLP-1s work by regulating the production of insulin and lowering your blood sugar. These medications also help treat obesity and aid in weight loss. Commonly known GLP-1s include Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide), Mounjaro (tirzepatide), and Victoza (liraglutide). Due to their ability to lower blood sugar and delay stomach emptying, GLP-1s may interact with other medications. These interactions may affect how well the other medications work or cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Diabetes Medications GLP-1 agonists help maintain normal blood sugar levels and increase the natural insulin created in your body. Use caution when taking them with other medications used to treat diabetes. GLP-1s and diabetes medications both lower blood sugar levels, so taking them together may lower your blood sugar to a dangerous level. Diabetes medications that lower blood sugar include: InsulinMetforminJanuvia (sitagliptin)Sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) blockers, like Farxiga (dapagliflozin) and Invokana (canagliflozin)Sulfonylureas, like Amaryl (glimepiride), DiaBeta (glyburide), and Glucotrol (glipizide) Watch your blood sugar levels closely if you are taking a GLP-1 with other medications to treat your diabetes. Your healthcare provider will monitor your symptoms and blood sugar levels to ensure you are on the proper treatment regimen. Blood Pressure Medications Certain blood pressure medications may cause a side effect of low blood sugar. These medications improve how your body reacts to insulin, which can help maintain or lower your blood sugar levels. This could be a concern if you have diabetes or if you are taking other medications that may lower your blood sugar level, like GLP-1s. Researchers found no significant interactions when evaluating GLP-1s in combination with a particular class of blood pressure medications called angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs). Blood pressure medications that may cause low blood sugar include: ACEIs, such as Zestril (lisinopril) and Altace (ramipril)Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), like Cozaar (losartan) and Diovan (valsartan) Monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you are taking a GLP-1 with these blood pressure medications. Unless you are experiencing side effects thought to be caused by a potential interaction, your healthcare provider will likely not change your medication regimen. Antidepressant Medications Some medications used to treat anxiety and depression may cause a side effect of low blood sugar. Certain antidepressants have been found to affect blood sugar metabolism and increase the risk of dangerously low blood sugar. This risk is much higher if you have diabetes or are taking any medications that can lower blood sugar levels. Antidepressant medications that may cause low blood sugar include: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), like Prozac (fluoxetine) and Zoloft (sertraline) Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), like Nardil (phenelzine) Tricyclic antidepressants, like Pamelor (nortriptyline) and Silenor (doxepin) Monitor your blood sugar levels closely if you are taking a GLP-1 with an antidepressant medication. Unless you are experiencing side effects thought to be caused by a potential interaction, your healthcare provider will likely not change your medication regimen. Antibiotic Medications Certain antibiotics can cause low blood sugar. This could be a concern if you have diabetes or if you are taking other medications that may lower your blood sugar level, like GLP-1s. Antibiotics that may cause low blood sugar include: Fluoroquinolones, like Levaquin (levofloxacin) and Ciproxin (ciprofloxacin)Macrolides, like clarithromycinPenicillins, like amoxicillinTetracyclines, like Vibramycin (doxycycline) and Tygacil (tigecycline) If you are taking a GLP-1 with an antibiotic known to cause low blood sugar, closely monitor your blood sugar levels. Birth Control Medications GLP-1s may lower the effectiveness of oral (taken by mouth) birth control. One way that GLP-1s work is by delaying the emptying of the stomach. This effect may also delay how certain medications, such as birth control, are absorbed in the stomach and work in the body. Slowed or decreased absorption could cause the birth control medication to work less effectively. Researchers have found that it is unlikely that GLP-1s significantly affect the absorption of birth control medications and how well they work. At this time, there are no recommendations to adjust the dose of GLP-1 medications when also taking birth control. Other Oral Medications GLP-1 agonists may affect how other medications taken by mouth are absorbed in the stomach, affecting how well they work in the body. Other medications that GLP-1s may potentially affect include: Lanoxin (digoxin), a medication taken to treat irregular heart rate and heart disease Dilantin (phenytoin), a medication to treat certain types of seizures Statin medications used to treat high cholesterol and lipid levels, like Lipitor (atorvastatin) and Zocor (simvastatin) Prograf (tacrolimus), a medication used to prevent organ transplant rejection Coumadin (warfarin), a blood thinning medication used to treat or prevent blood clots and other heart and blood vessel conditions Despite the potential for interaction, it is unlikely that you will need to adjust your dose of these drugs if taken with a GLP-1 agonist. If you start a GLP-1 while taking any other medications, your healthcare provider will evaluate whether taking both is safe for you and your health conditions. When To See a Healthcare Provider If you take a GLP-1 with any of the above medications, talk with your healthcare provider about whether the combination is safe. In most cases, you can still take both medications if you separate the times you take them and watch for any side effects. The primary drug interaction of concern with GLP-1s and the listed medications is hypoglycemia (low blood sugar). Common signs of low blood sugar include shakiness, confusion, and blurred vision. Serious side effects of low blood sugar include seizures, coma, irregular heart rates, heart attack, and death. Low blood sugar is an emergent situation and can often be treated by drinking or eating foods to raise your blood sugar. If you're frequently experiencing episodes of hypoglycemia, talk with your healthcare provider about ways to prevent low blood sugar. Tips for Preventing Drug Interactions To minimize the risk of experiencing drug interactions, consider the following strategies: Avoid possible absorption issues by taking all medications at least one hour before you take your GLP-1 agonist. Consistently monitor your blood sugar levels to track how medications, foods, and daily activities affect your blood sugar. Keep a detailed list of all the prescription medicines, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you take. This will be useful to your healthcare provider if you experience any interaction symptoms. If you notice any drug interaction symptoms or feel like your medication is not working as well, take note of what you experience. This information may be useful to your healthcare provider. A Quick Review Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonists are a class of medications used to treat type 2 diabetes and help with weight loss. GLP-1s work by regulating the production of insulin and lowering your blood sugar. Due to their ability to lower blood sugar and delay stomach emptying, GLP-1s may interact with other medications. These interactions may affect how well the other medications work or cause dangerously low blood sugar levels. Talk with your healthcare provider to determine if a GLP-1 agonist will interact with your other medications. Edited by Hannah Harper Hannah Harper Hannah Harper is a wellness editor for Health. Previously, she was an associate editor, assistant editor, and editorial assistant for Health. She covers topics on nutrition, women's health, and more. learn more Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! 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