Drug interactions
Digoxin + Salbutamol
Severity: Moderate
Digoxin and Salbutamol: 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
Salbutamol can lower serum potassium and, at systemic doses, may reduce serum digoxin concentrations slightly. Hypokalemia increases sensitivity to digoxin toxicity and arrhythmia, and both drugs can affect heart rhythm.
What this interaction means in plain words
Digoxin and Salbutamol 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.
Digoxin belongs to Cardiovascular; Salbutamol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Beta-2 agonist-induced hypokalemia increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin; additive proarrhythmic effects.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium, ECG and digoxin level when high-dose or systemic salbutamol is used. Keep potassium in the normal range.
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 Salbutamol
Other interactions of Digoxin
- Digoxin + Lily of the valley Contraindicated
- Digoxin + Squill Contraindicated
- Adagrasib + Digoxin Major
- Amiodarone + Digoxin Major
- Amlodipine-hydrochlorothiazide-valsartan + Digoxin Major
- Amphotericin b deoxycholate + Digoxin Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Digoxin with Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Digoxin and Salbutamol 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. Salbutamol can lower serum potassium and, at systemic doses, may reduce serum digoxin concentrations slightly. Hypokalemia increases sensitivity to digoxin toxicity and arrhythmia, and both drugs can affect heart rhythm.
How serious is the interaction between Digoxin and Salbutamol?
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, ECG and digoxin level when high-dose or systemic salbutamol is used. Keep potassium in the normal range.
What other medicines interact with Salbutamol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salbutamol with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Carvedilol, Droperidol. The full list is on the Salbutamol page.
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