Drug interactions
Chlorthalidone + Salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Chlorthalidone 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
Both salmeterol and the thiazide-like diuretic chlorthalidone can lower serum potassium. Together they may cause significant hypokalemia, raising the risk of arrhythmias especially in patients with heart disease or QT-prolonging therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Chlorthalidone 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.
Chlorthalidone belongs to Cardiovascular; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia: beta-2 stimulation shifts potassium into cells while chlorthalidone increases renal potassium loss.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium, particularly early in therapy, and supplement as 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 Salmeterol
- Ritonavir + Salmeterol Contraindicated
- Salmeterol + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Salmeterol Major
- Arformoterol + Salmeterol Major
- Atazanavir + Salmeterol Major
- Budesonide-formoterol + Salmeterol Major
Other interactions of Chlorthalidone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Chlorthalidone with Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Chlorthalidone 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. Both salmeterol and the thiazide-like diuretic chlorthalidone can lower serum potassium. Together they may cause significant hypokalemia, raising the risk of arrhythmias especially in patients with heart disease or QT-prolonging therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Chlorthalidone 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 and magnesium, particularly early in therapy, and supplement as needed.
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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