Does Albuterol Interact With Insulin Glargine?
Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of BASAGLAR 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: Dose increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be…
Severity: Moderate
Severity basis: drug interactions section (keywords: monitor, may decrease). Combining Albuterol (Short-acting beta-2 agonist) and Insulin Glargine (Long-acting insulin) is classified as a moderate interaction.
What to Do
Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.
How This Interaction Works
Interactions like this one can happen when two medicines have overlapping effects, or when one changes how the other is absorbed, broken down, or cleared from the body. Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist and Insulin Glargine is a long-acting insulin; together they are documented as a moderate interaction. How much this matters depends on your dose, your other medications, and your overall health.
If You Take Both Medications
If you have been prescribed both Albuterol and Insulin Glargine, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
From the FDA Label
Drugs That May Decrease the Blood Glucose Lowering Effect of BASAGLAR 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: Dose increases and increased frequency of glucose monitoring may be…
Source: FDA structured product labeling (set_id 0ad21db3-2b1c-4ed9-a687-bdd6a74d0aae).
Albuterol
Short-acting beta-2 agonist
Brands: Ventolin, ProAir, Proventil
View Albuterol safety profileInsulin Glargine
Long-acting insulin
Brands: Lantus, Basaglar, Toujeo
View Insulin Glargine safety profileCheck these against your full medication list in our free Interaction Checker
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you take Albuterol and Insulin Glargine together?
Albuterol and Insulin Glargine have a documented moderate interaction. Use this combination with caution. Your prescriber may monitor you more closely or adjust doses.
How serious is the Albuterol and Insulin Glargine interaction?
It is classified as a moderate interaction, based on the FDA label's drug interactions section (keywords: monitor, may decrease). A moderate interaction can be clinically meaningful and usually calls for monitoring or a dose adjustment.
What should I do if I'm taking both Albuterol and Insulin Glargine?
If you have been prescribed both Albuterol and Insulin Glargine, do not start, stop, or change either medication on your own — some medicines are unsafe to stop suddenly. Tell your prescriber and pharmacist that you take both so they can decide whether the combination is right for you, adjust the dose, monitor you more closely, or suggest an alternative.
This information is educational — not medical advice.
This page is provided for general educational purposes and summarizes publicly available data from sources such as the U.S. Food & Drug Administration. It is not a substitute for the judgment of a licensed clinician and should not be used to start, stop, or change any medication. It may be incomplete or out of date, and individual circumstances vary. Always talk with your prescriber or pharmacist about your specific medications and health conditions. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911.