Drug interactions
Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide + Dexamethasone
Severity: Moderate
Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide and Dexamethasone: 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 dexamethasone and hydrochlorothiazide increase urinary potassium loss, so using them together can cause or worsen hypokalemia. Low potassium raises the risk of muscle weakness and arrhythmias, particularly in patients on digoxin or with heart disease. Captopril may partly offset the potassium loss.
What this interaction means in plain words
Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide and Dexamethasone 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.
Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular; Dexamethasone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive renal potassium wasting from thiazide-induced distal sodium delivery and corticosteroid mineralocorticoid effects.
What to do
Check serum potassium and magnesium at baseline and periodically during combined use, especially with prolonged or high-dose steroids. Supplement potassium if needed.
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 Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide
- Aliskiren + Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide Contraindicated
- Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide + Sacubitril / valsartan Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide Major
- Aldesleukin + Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide Major
- Amifostine + Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide Major
Other interactions of Dexamethasone
- Bcg vaccine live + Dexamethasone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Rilpivirine Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Varicella virus vaccine live Contraindicated
- Dexamethasone + Yellow fever vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide with Dexamethasone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide and Dexamethasone 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 dexamethasone and hydrochlorothiazide increase urinary potassium loss, so using them together can cause or worsen hypokalemia. Low potassium raises the risk of muscle weakness and arrhythmias, particularly in patients on digoxin or with heart disease. Captopril may partly offset the potassium loss.
How serious is the interaction between Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide and Dexamethasone?
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, especially with prolonged or high-dose steroids. Supplement potassium if needed.
What other medicines interact with Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide with, for example, Aliskiren, Dofetilide, Sacubitril / valsartan. The full list is on the Captopril-hydrochlorothiazide page.
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