Drug interactions
Chlorothiazide + Epinephrine
Severity: Moderate
Chlorothiazide and Epinephrine: 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
Epinephrine promotes cellular potassium uptake, and chlorothiazide increases urinary potassium loss. Together they can cause additive hypokalemia and raise the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorothiazide and Epinephrine 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.
Chlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular; Epinephrine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Beta2-mediated potassium shift into cells combined with thiazide-induced renal potassium wasting.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium and replace deficits when systemic epinephrine is used. Monitor ECG in patients with cardiac disease.
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 Epinephrine
- Epinephrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Epinephrine Major
- Amitriptyline + Epinephrine Major
- Amoxapine + Epinephrine Major
Other interactions of Chlorothiazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorothiazide with Epinephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorothiazide and Epinephrine 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. Epinephrine promotes cellular potassium uptake, and chlorothiazide increases urinary potassium loss. Together they can cause additive hypokalemia and raise the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorothiazide and Epinephrine?
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 and replace deficits when systemic epinephrine is used. Monitor ECG in patients with cardiac disease.
What other medicines interact with Epinephrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Epinephrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Epinephrine page.
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