Drug interactions
Amiloride + Salmeterol
Severity: Minor
Amiloride and Salmeterol: minor interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Salmeterol can lower serum potassium by shifting it into cells, whereas amiloride is potassium-sparing and tends to raise it. The effects largely oppose each other, so the combination is unlikely to cause problems and may even be protective against hypokalemia. Potassium disturbances are still possible in patients with renal impairment or other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiloride and Salmeterol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Amiloride belongs to Cardiovascular; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Opposing effects on serum potassium: beta2-mediated cellular uptake versus reduced renal potassium excretion.
What to do
No routine action is needed; check serum potassium in patients with renal impairment, diabetes or other potassium-altering drugs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amiloride and Salmeterol, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Salmeterol
- Ritonavir + Salmeterol Contraindicated
- Salmeterol + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Salmeterol Major
- Arformoterol + Salmeterol Major
- Atazanavir + Salmeterol Major
- Budesonide-formoterol + Salmeterol Major
Other interactions of Amiloride
- Amiloride + Eplerenone Contraindicated
- Amiloride + Spironolactone Contraindicated
- Amiloride + Triamterene Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Amiloride Major
- Acemetacin + Amiloride Major
- Amiloride + Amlodipine-benazepril Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiloride with Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Amiloride and Salmeterol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Salmeterol can lower serum potassium by shifting it into cells, whereas amiloride is potassium-sparing and tends to raise it. The effects largely oppose each other, so the combination is unlikely to cause problems and may even be protective against hypokalemia. Potassium disturbances are still possible in patients with renal impairment or other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Amiloride and Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: No routine action is needed; check serum potassium in patients with renal impairment, diabetes or other potassium-altering drugs.
What other medicines interact with Salmeterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salmeterol with, for example, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Amitriptyline. The full list is on the Salmeterol page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
