Drug & supplement interaction

Saffron + Insulin Degludec

Insulin Degludec brand name: Tresiba.

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

Saffron has a moderate interaction with Insulin Degludec. Theoretically, concomitant use of saffron 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

Saffron and Insulin Degludec

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

Moderate

ANTIDIABETES DRUGS

Why this applies to Insulin Degludec

Insulin Degludec falls under ANTIDIABETES DRUGS — the group Saffron interacts with.

Theoretically, concomitant use of saffron with antidiabetes drugs might increase the risk of hypoglycemia.
Some clinical research shows that taking saffron extract reduces fasting levels of glucose when used in addition to hypoglycemic agents. However, saffron powder itself has not been shown to reduce fasting glucose levels.
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 practical takeaway if you take Tresiba (insulin degludec) and are thinking about saffron supplements. Saffron extract may modestly lower your blood sugar on its own. Since insulin degludec already brings your sugar down, stacking the two could push your blood sugar a little too low, which we call hypoglycemia. That can show up as shakiness, sweating, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or feeling lightheaded.

To be fair, this is mostly a theoretical concern, and the effect seems tied to concentrated saffron extracts, not the small pinch you'd sprinkle in cooking. The evidence is fairly limited too. Still, if you decide to use a saffron supplement, it's worth checking your sugars a bit more closely at first and giving your pharmacist or doctor a quick heads-up before starting.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. Azimi P, Ghiasvand R Feizi A, Hariri M, Abbasi B. Effects of cinnamon, cardamom, saffron, and ginger consumption on markers of glycemic control, lipid profile, oxidative stress, and inflammation in type 2 diabetes. Rev Diabet Stud. 2014 Fall-Winter;11(3-4
  2. Moravej Aleali A, Amani R, Shahbazian H, Namjooyan F, Latifi SM, Cheraghian B. The effect of hydroalcoholic Saffron (Crocus sativus L.) extract on fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, lipid profile, liver, and renal function tests in patients with type 2 diabet

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

Saffron Also Interacts With Other Medications

Saffron has 520 moderate known drug interactions in our database — the Insulin Degludec one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Moderate 520 No known interaction 2,310 (incl. Insulin Degludec)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Saffron

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

From our Q&A

Questions About Saffron or Insulin Degludec

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Saffron or Insulin Degludec, 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 Degludec

This page covers Saffron only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Insulin Degludec 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 Degludec page

“Insulin degludec (Tresiba) is a long-acting insulin meant to hold blood sugar steady around the clock, which means anything else that pushes glucose down can push it too far. That is the story for nearly all 239 ingredients on this page, and the list warrants genuine caution.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Insulin Degludec interaction page

One more smart check

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

We hold 418 real supplement products containing Saffron, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Saffron. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Insulin Degludec too, on top of Saffron — 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 Saffron and Insulin Degludec 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 Saffron
Top 25%

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

29 days ago today
Medication Insulin Degludec
Steady interest

#1,836 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 Saffron

What is Saffron?

Saffron
  • Depression and low mood
  • Anxiety
  • PMS symptoms
  • Memory and cognition
  • Eye health (age-related macular degeneration)

Saffron is a costly spice that has shown promise in early studies for mild-to-moderate depression and some mood and PMS symptoms, but most research uses small trials, so results are not definitive. It is generally well tolerated in food and small supplement amounts, but high doses can be harmful and it should be avoided in pregnancy. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before using saffron supplements.

Read the full Saffron monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Insulin Degludec (rDNA Origin) Injection

What Is Insulin Degludec (rDNA Origin) Injection Used For?

Brand name: Tresiba

Insulin degludec (brands: Insulin Degludec, Tresiba) is indicated to improve glycemic control (blood sugar management) in patients 1 year of age and older with diabetes mellitus — both type 1 and type 2.

It is not recommended for treating diabetic ketoacidosis (a dangerous complication where acids build up in the blood). In patients with type 1 diabetes, it must be used together with a short-acting insulin.

See full Insulin Degludec (rDNA Origin) Injection drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Saffron

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

0Major
520Moderate
0Minor
2,309No known interaction
520 Moderate 2,309 No interaction
Moderate

520 interactions

Showing 60 of 520 moderate interactions — see all 520 on the Saffron page.

No interaction 2,309 drugs checked — show the list

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

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 2,309 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Saffron list.

See the full Saffron interactions page
See every supplement checked against Insulin Degludec, 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
Saffron monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Insulin Degludec supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Insulin Degludec, ranked by severity Insulin Degludec (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 Saffron and Insulin Degludec Together: Common Questions

Can you take Saffron with Insulin Degludec?
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 Saffron and Insulin Degludec 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 Degludec and Saffron?

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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.