Drug interactions
Atenolol + Formoterol
Severity: Moderate
Atenolol and Formoterol: moderate 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
Beta-blockers oppose the bronchodilating effect of formoterol and can reduce its efficacy. Even cardioselective agents like atenolol may provoke bronchospasm in patients with asthma or COPD at higher doses.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atenolol and Formoterol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Atenolol belongs to Cardiovascular; Formoterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism at beta-adrenergic receptors; atenolol is beta-1 selective but selectivity is lost at higher doses.
What to do
Monitor respiratory status and bronchodilator response. Use the lowest effective atenolol dose in reactive airway disease and consider alternatives if bronchospasm occurs.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Formoterol
- Adagrasib + Formoterol Major
- Amiodarone + Formoterol Major
- Amisulpride + Formoterol Major
- Amitriptyline + Formoterol Major
- Amoxapine + Formoterol Major
- Arformoterol + Formoterol Major
Other interactions of Atenolol
- Amifostine + Atenolol Major
- Amiodarone + Atenolol Major
- Atenolol + Atenolol-chlorthalidone Major
- Atenolol + Betaxolol Major
- Atenolol + Bisoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Carvedilol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atenolol with Formoterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atenolol and Formoterol can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Beta-blockers oppose the bronchodilating effect of formoterol and can reduce its efficacy. Even cardioselective agents like atenolol may provoke bronchospasm in patients with asthma or COPD at higher doses.
How serious is the interaction between Atenolol and Formoterol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor respiratory status and bronchodilator response. Use the lowest effective atenolol dose in reactive airway disease and consider alternatives if bronchospasm occurs.
What other medicines interact with Formoterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Formoterol with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Formoterol page.
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