Drug interactions
Budesonide-formoterol + Efavirenz
Severity: Moderate
Budesonide-formoterol and Efavirenz: 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 formoterol and efavirenz can prolong the QT interval. Used together, the effect may be additive and raise the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes, particularly in patients with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide-formoterol and Efavirenz 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; Efavirenz belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic QT prolongation; beta-agonist-related hypokalemia may further increase arrhythmia risk.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities. Monitor for palpitations or syncope and review other QT-prolonging drugs.
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 Efavirenz
- Cobimetinib + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dienogest / estradiol valerate + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Dihydroergotamine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Efavirenz Contraindicated
- Efavirenz + Elbasvir / grazoprevir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide-formoterol with Efavirenz?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Budesonide-formoterol and Efavirenz 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 formoterol and efavirenz can prolong the QT interval. Used together, the effect may be additive and raise the risk of ventricular arrhythmias such as torsades de pointes, particularly in patients with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide-formoterol and Efavirenz?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors and correct potassium and magnesium abnormalities. Monitor for palpitations or syncope and review other QT-prolonging drugs.
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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