Drug interactions
Budesonide-formoterol + Chlorthalidone
Severity: Moderate
Budesonide-formoterol and Chlorthalidone: 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
Formoterol shifts potassium into cells and chlorthalidone increases urinary potassium loss, so together they can produce additive hypokalemia. This is more likely with higher formoterol doses and raises the risk of arrhythmia, especially in patients with heart disease or on other QT-prolonging drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide-formoterol and Chlorthalidone 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-formoterol belongs to Respiratory; Chlorthalidone belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia from beta-2 agonist-driven intracellular potassium shift and thiazide-like renal potassium wasting.
What to do
Check serum potassium and magnesium at baseline and periodically, particularly in patients with cardiac disease or frequent beta-agonist use. Replace potassium as needed or consider a potassium-sparing strategy.
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-formoterol
Other interactions of Chlorthalidone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide-formoterol with Chlorthalidone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Budesonide-formoterol and Chlorthalidone 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. Formoterol shifts potassium into cells and chlorthalidone increases urinary potassium loss, so together they can produce additive hypokalemia. This is more likely with higher formoterol doses and raises the risk of arrhythmia, especially in patients with heart disease or on other QT-prolonging drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide-formoterol and Chlorthalidone?
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, particularly in patients with cardiac disease or frequent beta-agonist use. Replace potassium as needed or consider a potassium-sparing strategy.
What other medicines interact with Budesonide-formoterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Budesonide-formoterol with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Budesonide-formoterol page.
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