Drug & supplement interaction

Cissus Quadrangularis + Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) brand name: Apidra.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Cissus Quadrangularis has a moderate interaction with Insulin Glulisine (rDNA). Theoretically, Cissus quadrangularis might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.

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

Cissus Quadrangularis and Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

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

Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

Why this applies to Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS — the group Cissus Quadrangularis interacts with.

Theoretically, Cissus quadrangularis might increase the risk of hypoglycemia when taken with antidiabetes drugs.
Small clinical studies suggest that Cissus quadrangularis might reduce fasting blood glucose in individuals with overweight or obesity.
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: Apidra (insulin glulisine) is a fast-acting insulin that already lowers your blood sugar. Some small studies hint that Cissus quadrangularis may nudge fasting blood sugar down a little on its own. Stack those two together and, in theory, your blood sugar could dip lower than expected. That can show up as shakiness, sweating, a racing heart, confusion, or even fainting if it drops too far.

I want to be honest that this is a theoretical concern based on how each one works, not something proven for this exact combo. Still, with insulin you don't want surprises. If you'd like to try this supplement, check with your doctor or pharmacist first, and keep a closer eye on your glucose readings so any low can be caught early.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Oben JE, Ngondi JL, Momo CN, et al. The use of Cissus quadrangularis/Irvingia gabonensis combination in the management of weight loss: a double-blind placebo-controlled study. Lipids Health Dis 2008;7:12.
  2. Nash R, Azantsa B, Kuate D, Singh H, Oben J. The use of a stem and leaf aqueous extract of Cissus quadrangularis (CQR-300) to reduce body fat and other components of metabolic syndrome in overweight participants. J Altern Complement Med. 2019;25(1):98-106

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

Cissus Quadrangularis Also Interacts With Other Medications

Cissus Quadrangularis has 85 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 85 No known interaction 2,745 (incl. Insulin Glulisine (rDNA))
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Cissus Quadrangularis

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Cissus Quadrangularis or Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Cissus Quadrangularis or Insulin Glulisine (rDNA), not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

This page covers Cissus Quadrangularis only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) page lists 239 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

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

By severity: 1 major · 208 moderate · 30 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) page

“Apidra (insulin glulisine) is a rapid mealtime insulin, and this list calls for real vigilance. All 239 ingredients on file affect blood sugar, most of the 208 moderate entries by adding their own glucose lowering to the insulin's and raising the chance of a serious low.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Cissus Quadrangularis as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 371 real supplement products containing Cissus Quadrangularis, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Cissus Quadrangularis. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) too, on top of Cissus Quadrangularis — 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 Cissus Quadrangularis and Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) 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 Cissus Quadrangularis
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)
Steady interest

#2,201 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 Cissus Quadrangularis

What is Cissus Quadrangularis?

Cissus Quadrangularis
  • Bone fracture healing
  • Joint pain and bone health
  • Weight management
  • Blood sugar support
  • Digestive complaints

Cissus quadrangularis is a traditional vine used mainly for bone health, joint pain, and weight management. Most of the supporting evidence comes from animal studies and a small number of human trials, so its benefits are not firmly proven. It appears reasonably well tolerated in the short term, but people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or managing chronic conditions should talk to a doctor or pharmacist first.

Read the full Cissus Quadrangularis monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Insulin Glulisine (rDNA origin) Injection

What Is Insulin Glulisine (rDNA origin) Injection Used For?

Brand name: Apidra

Apidra and Apidra SoloStar are used to improve glycemic control (blood sugar management) in adult and pediatric patients with diabetes mellitus. This includes both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Because insulin glulisine works very quickly, it is typically used around mealtimes to control the rise in blood sugar that happens after eating. It is generally used alongside a longer-acting insulin as part of a complete diabetes regimen.

See full Insulin Glulisine (rDNA origin) Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Cissus Quadrangularis

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

0Major
85Moderate
0Minor
2,744No known interaction
85 Moderate 2,744 No interaction
Moderate

85 interactions

Showing 60 of 85 moderate interactions — see all 85 on the Cissus Quadrangularis page.

No interaction 2,744 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Cissus Quadrangularis against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,744 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Cissus Quadrangularis list.

See the full Cissus Quadrangularis interactions page
See every supplement checked against Insulin Glulisine (rDNA), ranked by severity
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

Keep exploring
Cissus Quadrangularis monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Insulin Glulisine (rDNA), ranked by severity Insulin Glulisine (rDNA origin) Injection drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Cissus Quadrangularis and Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) Together: Common Questions

Can you take Cissus Quadrangularis with Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)?
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 Cissus Quadrangularis and Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) 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

Still Have a Question About Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) and Cissus Quadrangularis?

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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.