Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Formoterol
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine 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
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic with direct and indirect adrenergic actions, so combined use with formoterol increases cardiovascular stimulation. This can cause tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, arrhythmias, and a lowering of serum potassium.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine 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.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Formoterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive adrenergic stimulation from direct beta-2 agonism and ephedrine-induced norepinephrine release plus receptor agonism.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and serum potassium, and avoid the combination in patients with significant cardiac disease or arrhythmia.
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 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 Formoterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine 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. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic with direct and indirect adrenergic actions, so combined use with formoterol increases cardiovascular stimulation. This can cause tachycardia, hypertension, palpitations, arrhythmias, and a lowering of serum potassium.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine 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 heart rate, blood pressure and serum potassium, and avoid the combination in patients with significant cardiac disease or arrhythmia.
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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