Drug & supplement interaction

Combretum Micranthum + Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) brand name: Apidra.

Moderate Interaction
The bottom line Moderate

Combretum Micranthum has a moderate interaction with Insulin Glulisine (rDNA). Theoretically, taking Combretum micranthum leaf with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.

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

Combretum Micranthum 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 Combretum Micranthum interacts with.

Theoretically, taking Combretum micranthum leaf with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some preliminary human and animal research suggests that Combretum micranthum leaf has hypoglycemic effects.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Possible Evidence B

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 thing to keep in mind: kinkeliba (Combretum micranthum) tea may have a mild blood-sugar-lowering effect of its own. Insulin glulisine (Apidra) is already a fast-acting insulin that brings your sugar down quickly, so layering the two together could push your levels lower than you intend. That raises the chance of a low blood sugar episode, with things like shakiness, sweating, dizziness, a racing heart, confusion, or feeling suddenly hungry.

To be honest, the evidence here is on the weaker side, mostly small studies and animal data, so this isn't a sure thing. Still, since insulin is powerful and lows can come on fast, it's worth a quick word with your doctor or pharmacist before mixing them. Don't change your insulin dose on your own, and check your sugar a bit more often if you do try the tea.

References
  1. Kpemissi M, Potârniche AV, Lawson-Evi P, et al. Nephroprotective effect of Combretum micranthum G. Don in nicotinamide-streptozotocin induced diabetic nephropathy in rats: In-vivo and in-silico experiments. J Ethnopharmacol 2020;261:113133. PubMed
  2. Chika A, Bello SO. Antihyperglycaemic activity of aqueous leaf extract of Combretum micranthum (Combretaceae) in normal and alloxan-induced diabetic rats. J Ethnopharmacol 2010;129(1):34-7. PubMed
  3. Seck SM, Doupa D, Dia DG, et al. Clinical efficacy of African traditional medicines in hypertension: A randomized controlled trial with Combretum micranthum and Hibiscus sabdariffa. J Hum Hypertens 2017;32(1):75-81. 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

Combretum Micranthum Also Interacts With Other Medications

Combretum Micranthum has 264 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.

Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Combretum Micranthum

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

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)

This page covers Combretum Micranthum 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

How much people look this up

Where Combretum Micranthum 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 Combretum Micranthum
Top half

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

29 days ago today
Medication Insulin Glulisine (rDNA)
Top 25%

#628 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 Combretum Micranthum

What is Combretum Micranthum?

Combretum Micranthum
  • Digestive upset
  • Liver and gallbladder support
  • Fever
  • Weight management
  • Mild urinary or fluid retention
  • Traditional opium withdrawal aid

Combretum micranthum (kinkeliba) is a West African shrub whose leaves are brewed into a traditional tea for digestion, liver complaints, and fever. Solid human studies are lacking, so its benefits remain unproven, and people who are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have liver or kidney problems should be cautious and talk to a healthcare professional first.

Read the full Combretum Micranthum 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 & Combretum Micranthum

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

0Major
264Moderate
0Minor
2,565No known interaction
Moderate

264 interactions

Showing 60 of 264 moderate interactions — see all 264 on the Combretum Micranthum page.

No interaction 2,565 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 Combretum Micranthum and Insulin Glulisine (rDNA) Together: Common Questions

Can you take Combretum Micranthum 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 Combretum Micranthum 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

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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.