Drug interactions
Deflazacort + Formoterol
Severity: Moderate
Deflazacort and Formoterol: 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
Formoterol and systemic corticosteroids such as deflazacort can each reduce serum potassium. Combined use may cause additive hypokalemia, which matters most in patients with cardiac disease, high doses or concurrent diuretics.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deflazacort and Formoterol 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.
Deflazacort belongs to Miscellaneous; Formoterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia: beta-2 agonist-driven cellular potassium uptake plus mineralocorticoid-related renal potassium loss from the corticosteroid.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium during prolonged or high-dose combined therapy and correct deficits. Take extra care if other potassium-lowering drugs are also used.
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 Formoterol
- Adagrasib + Formoterol Major
- Amiodarone + Formoterol Major
- Amisulpride + Formoterol Major
- Amitriptyline + Formoterol Major
- Amoxapine + Formoterol Major
- Arformoterol + Formoterol Major
Other interactions of Deflazacort
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deflazacort with Formoterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Deflazacort and Formoterol 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. Formoterol and systemic corticosteroids such as deflazacort can each reduce serum potassium. Combined use may cause additive hypokalemia, which matters most in patients with cardiac disease, high doses or concurrent diuretics.
How serious is the interaction between Deflazacort and Formoterol?
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 during prolonged or high-dose combined therapy and correct deficits. Take extra care if other potassium-lowering drugs are also used.
What other medicines interact with Formoterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Formoterol with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Formoterol page.
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