Drug interactions
Budesonide-formoterol + Quinidine
Severity: Major
Budesonide-formoterol and Quinidine: major 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
Quinidine markedly prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes. Formoterol can add to this risk through beta-2 mediated hypokalemia and tachycardia, so the combination increases the chance of ventricular arrhythmia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Budesonide-formoterol and Quinidine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Budesonide-formoterol belongs to Respiratory; Quinidine belongs to Anti Parasitic.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with formoterol-induced hypokalemia and sympathetic stimulation increasing arrhythmia susceptibility.
What to do
Prefer an alternative to one of the agents when possible; if both are required, obtain a baseline ECG and monitor QTc, potassium and magnesium.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Budesonide-formoterol and Quinidine, 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 Budesonide-formoterol
Other interactions of Quinidine
- Adagrasib + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Arsenic trioxide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Artemether / lumefantrine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Chloroquine + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Quinidine Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Quinidine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Budesonide-formoterol with Quinidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Budesonide-formoterol and Quinidine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Quinidine markedly prolongs the QT interval and can cause torsades de pointes. Formoterol can add to this risk through beta-2 mediated hypokalemia and tachycardia, so the combination increases the chance of ventricular arrhythmia.
How serious is the interaction between Budesonide-formoterol and Quinidine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Prefer an alternative to one of the agents when possible; if both are required, obtain a baseline ECG and monitor QTc, potassium and magnesium.
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.
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.
