Drug interactions
Digoxin + Terbutaline
Severity: Moderate
Digoxin 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
Terbutaline can lower serum potassium, and hypokalemia increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin, raising the risk of digoxin-related arrhythmias. Beta-agonists may also add to arrhythmia risk through their own cardiac stimulation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Digoxin 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.
Digoxin belongs to Cardiovascular; Terbutaline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Beta-2 agonist-induced hypokalemia potentiates digoxin proarrhythmic effects, alongside additive pro-arrhythmic stimulation.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium, ECG and digoxin levels, and keep potassium in the normal range. Watch for palpitations or rhythm changes.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Digoxin and Terbutaline, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Terbutaline
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 Terbutaline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Digoxin 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. Terbutaline can lower serum potassium, and hypokalemia increases myocardial sensitivity to digoxin, raising the risk of digoxin-related arrhythmias. Beta-agonists may also add to arrhythmia risk through their own cardiac stimulation.
How serious is the interaction between Digoxin 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, ECG and digoxin levels, and keep potassium in the normal range. Watch for palpitations or rhythm changes.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
