Drug interactions
Azithromycin + Salbutamol
Severity: Minor
Azithromycin and Salbutamol: 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
Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and salbutamol can also cause hypokalemia, which increases arrhythmia risk. The risk is greatest with high doses, nebulized use or other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Azithromycin and Salbutamol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Azithromycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Salbutamol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with beta-agonist-induced hypokalemia as a potentiating factor.
What to do
Check potassium and correct hypokalemia in patients at risk, and consider ECG monitoring in those with other QT risk factors.
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 Azithromycin and Salbutamol, 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 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Salbutamol
Other interactions of Azithromycin
- Azithromycin + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Domperidone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Piperaquine Contraindicated
- Azithromycin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Azithromycin with Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Azithromycin and Salbutamol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both drugs can prolong the QT interval, and salbutamol can also cause hypokalemia, which increases arrhythmia risk. The risk is greatest with high doses, nebulized use or other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Azithromycin and Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check potassium and correct hypokalemia in patients at risk, and consider ECG monitoring in those with other QT risk factors.
What other medicines interact with Salbutamol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salbutamol with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Carvedilol, Droperidol. The full list is on the Salbutamol 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.
