Drug interactions
Budesonide + Metolazone
Severity: Moderate
Budesonide and Metolazone: 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
Both drugs can lower serum potassium. Used together, especially with systemic or high-dose budesonide, the risk of hypokalemia is increased, which may cause weakness, cramps and arrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide and Metolazone 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.
Budesonide belongs to Respiratory; Metolazone belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive potassium loss from thiazide-like diuretic effects on the distal tubule and corticosteroid mineralocorticoid activity.
What to do
Check serum potassium and magnesium at baseline and periodically during combined use. Give potassium supplementation or a potassium-sparing agent if levels fall.
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 Budesonide
Other interactions of Metolazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide with Metolazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Budesonide and Metolazone 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. Both drugs can lower serum potassium. Used together, especially with systemic or high-dose budesonide, the risk of hypokalemia is increased, which may cause weakness, cramps and arrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide and Metolazone?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum potassium and magnesium at baseline and periodically during combined use. Give potassium supplementation or a potassium-sparing agent if levels fall.
What other medicines interact with Budesonide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Budesonide with, for example, Aldesleukin, Atazanavir, Bcg vaccine live. The full list is on the Budesonide page.
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