Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Salbutamol
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine 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
Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic that raises blood pressure and heart rate. With salbutamol, additive stimulation may cause tachycardia, palpitations, tremor and hypertension, and potassium may fall.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine 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.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Salbutamol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive adrenergic stimulation via direct and indirect sympathomimetic action plus beta-2 agonism.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and potassium, and avoid 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 Salbutamol
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 Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine 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. Ephedrine is a sympathomimetic that raises blood pressure and heart rate. With salbutamol, additive stimulation may cause tachycardia, palpitations, tremor and hypertension, and potassium may fall.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine 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 heart rate, blood pressure and potassium, and avoid in patients with significant cardiac disease or arrhythmia.
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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