Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Epinephrine
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine and Epinephrine: 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
Ephedrine and epinephrine together can produce additive increases in heart rate and blood pressure, with a greater risk of arrhythmia. Lowering of serum potassium through beta-2 stimulation may also be additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine and Epinephrine 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.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Epinephrine belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive adrenergic effects from direct receptor agonism by epinephrine and mixed direct and indirect sympathomimetic action by ephedrine.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and ECG, and check potassium in patients with risk factors. Titrate doses carefully and avoid routine stacking of the two agents.
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 Epinephrine
- Epinephrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Epinephrine Major
- Amitriptyline + Epinephrine Major
- Amoxapine + Epinephrine Major
Other interactions of Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ephedrine with Epinephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine and Epinephrine 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. Ephedrine and epinephrine together can produce additive increases in heart rate and blood pressure, with a greater risk of arrhythmia. Lowering of serum potassium through beta-2 stimulation may also be additive.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine and Epinephrine?
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 blood pressure, heart rate and ECG, and check potassium in patients with risk factors. Titrate doses carefully and avoid routine stacking of the two agents.
What other medicines interact with Epinephrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Epinephrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Epinephrine page.
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