Drug interactions
Chlorothiazide + Terbutaline
Severity: Moderate
Chlorothiazide and Terbutaline: 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
Chlorothiazide causes renal potassium loss and terbutaline moves potassium into cells, so together they can cause greater hypokalemia. This may predispose to arrhythmias, especially with high-dose or nebulized terbutaline.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorothiazide and Terbutaline 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; Terbutaline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia from thiazide renal potassium wasting and beta-2 mediated cellular potassium uptake.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium, and supplement potassium when levels fall.
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 Terbutaline
Other interactions of Chlorothiazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorothiazide with Terbutaline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorothiazide and Terbutaline 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 causes renal potassium loss and terbutaline moves potassium into cells, so together they can cause greater hypokalemia. This may predispose to arrhythmias, especially with high-dose or nebulized terbutaline.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorothiazide and Terbutaline?
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 supplement potassium when levels fall.
What other medicines interact with Terbutaline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Terbutaline with, for example, Carvedilol, Droperidol, Fexinidazole. The full list is on the Terbutaline page.
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