Drug interactions
Deflazacort + Salmeterol
Severity: Minor
Deflazacort and Salmeterol: minor 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 a long-acting beta-agonist and a corticosteroid can lower serum potassium, and together the effect may be additive. Clinically significant hypokalemia is more likely with high doses, other potassium-lowering drugs or severe asthma.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deflazacort and Salmeterol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Deflazacort belongs to Miscellaneous; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive potassium lowering via beta-2 stimulated intracellular shift and corticosteroid mineralocorticoid activity.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium when high doses or other potassium-lowering drugs are also used. Replace potassium if levels fall.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
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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 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 Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Deflazacort and Salmeterol have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Both a long-acting beta-agonist and a corticosteroid can lower serum potassium, and together the effect may be additive. Clinically significant hypokalemia is more likely with high doses, other potassium-lowering drugs or severe asthma.
How serious is the interaction between Deflazacort and Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum potassium when high doses or other potassium-lowering drugs are also used. Replace potassium if levels fall.
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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