Drug interactions
Budesonide-formoterol + Metolazone
Severity: Moderate
Budesonide-formoterol 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 formoterol and metolazone can lower serum potassium, and the combination may produce clinically significant hypokalemia. Low potassium increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients with heart disease or those taking QT-prolonging drugs.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide-formoterol 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-formoterol belongs to Respiratory; Metolazone belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia: beta-2 agonists shift potassium into cells while metolazone increases renal potassium loss.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium, especially at the start of therapy or with higher formoterol doses. 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 Metolazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide-formoterol with Metolazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Budesonide-formoterol 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 formoterol and metolazone can lower serum potassium, and the combination may produce clinically significant hypokalemia. Low potassium increases the risk of cardiac arrhythmias, especially in patients with heart disease or those taking QT-prolonging drugs.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide-formoterol 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: Monitor serum potassium and magnesium, especially at the start of therapy or with higher formoterol doses. 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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