Drug & supplement interaction

Algal Oil + Insulin Lispro Recombinant

Insulin Lispro Recombinant brand name: Humalog Kwikpen.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Algal Oil has a moderate interaction with Insulin Lispro Recombinant. Theoretically, taking algal oil with antidiabetes drugs might interfere with the effects of antidiabetes drugs and reduce their effects.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodPossible
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Algal Oil and Insulin Lispro Recombinant

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

Why this applies to Insulin Lispro Recombinant

Insulin Lispro Recombinant falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS — the group Algal Oil interacts with.

Theoretically, taking algal oil with antidiabetes drugs might interfere with the effects of antidiabetes drugs and reduce their effects.
Most algal oil contains docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). Clinical research in people with type 2 diabetes, including those taking antidiabetes drugs, shows that taking DHA 4 grams daily for 6 weeks increases fasting blood glucose levels by about 18 mg/dL when compared with taking olive oil.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence D

Interaction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the gist: insulin lispro (Humalog) is your fast-acting mealtime insulin that pushes blood sugar down. The concern with algal oil is the opposite direction. The omega-3 fat DHA may, in theory, nudge blood sugar up a bit. In one study, a fairly hefty dose of 4 grams of DHA daily raised fasting glucose by roughly 18 mg/dL. So algal oil could blunt how well your insulin keeps numbers in range.

This is theoretical and based on pharmacology, not strong proof, so don't panic. If you start algal oil, just keep a closer eye on your readings for a few weeks and watch for higher-than-usual numbers. Don't change your insulin dose on your own. Loop in your pharmacist or doctor so any adjustment is done safely.

References
  1. Woodman RJ, Mori TA, Burke V, et al. Effects of purified eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids on glycemic control, blood pressure, and serum lipids in type 2 diabetic patients with treated hypertension. Am J Clin Nutr 2002;76:1007-15.. PubMed

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Algal Oil Also Interacts With Other Medications

Algal Oil has 257 moderate, 117 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Insulin Lispro Recombinant one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Algal Oil

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Algal Oil. Pick one to open its full report.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Insulin Lispro Recombinant

This page covers Algal Oil only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Insulin Lispro Recombinant page lists 242 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Chelation Therapy Products (major), Siberian Cocklebur (major), Acai (moderate), African Wild Potato (moderate) and Agaricus Mushroom (moderate).

By severity: 2 major · 211 moderate · 29 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Insulin Lispro Recombinant page

“Two of the 242 entries here rate major, and they are the place to start. Siberian cocklebur has caused severe hypoglycemia, and chelation products containing EDTA can drop blood glucose steeply while also interfering with the insulin itself, so neither belongs anywhere near insulin lispro (Humalog KwikPen).”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Insulin Lispro Recombinant interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Algal Oil as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 188 real supplement products containing Algal Oil, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Algal Oil. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Insulin Lispro Recombinant too, on top of Algal Oil — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Algal Oil and Insulin Lispro Recombinant Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Algal Oil
Top 25%

#359 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Insulin Lispro Recombinant
Steady interest

#2,344 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Algal Oil

What is Algal Oil?

Algal Oil
  • Vegan/vegetarian source of omega-3s (DHA and EPA)
  • Heart and triglyceride health
  • Brain and eye support
  • Pregnancy and infant nutrition
  • General anti-inflammatory support

Algal oil is a plant-based source of the omega-3 fats DHA and (in some products) EPA, making it a popular alternative to fish oil for vegetarians, vegans, and people who dislike fish. There is reasonable evidence that omega-3s can lower triglycerides and support heart and brain health, though more research is needed for many specific uses. It is generally well tolerated, but check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, especially if you take blood thinners or are pregnant.

Read the full Algal Oil monograph & all interactions
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Algal Oil

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Algal Oil — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

0Major
257Moderate
117Minor
2,455No known interaction
Moderate

257 interactions

Showing 60 of 257 moderate interactions — see all 257 on the Algal Oil page.

Minor

117 interactions

Showing 60 of 117 minor interactions — see all 117 on the Algal Oil page.

No interaction 2,455 drugs checked — show the list
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Algal Oil and Insulin Lispro Recombinant Together: Common Questions

Can you take Algal Oil with Insulin Lispro Recombinant?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Algal Oil and Insulin Lispro Recombinant interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.