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Drug interactions

Carbenoxolone + Salmeterol

Severity: Moderate

Carbenoxolone and Salmeterol: 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

Carbenoxolone has mineralocorticoid-like activity that causes potassium loss, and salmeterol can further lower serum potassium. Combined use may cause hypokalemia with a risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness.

What this interaction means in plain words

Carbenoxolone and Salmeterol 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive hypokalemia from renal potassium wasting and beta-2 mediated cellular potassium uptake.

What to do

Monitor serum potassium regularly and supplement if needed. Consider an alternative if hypokalemia is difficult to control.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Carbenoxolone with Salmeterol?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Carbenoxolone and Salmeterol 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. Carbenoxolone has mineralocorticoid-like activity that causes potassium loss, and salmeterol can further lower serum potassium. Combined use may cause hypokalemia with a risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness.

How serious is the interaction between Carbenoxolone and Salmeterol?

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 regularly and supplement if needed. Consider an alternative if hypokalemia is difficult to control.

What other medicines interact with Salmeterol?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Salmeterol with, for example, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Amitriptyline. The full list is on the Salmeterol page.

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