Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine and Salmeterol: 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 heart rate and blood pressure and can lower potassium with beta-2 stimulation. Combined with salmeterol, additive cardiovascular stimulation and hypokalemia may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine and Salmeterol 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; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive adrenergic stimulation, including beta-2 receptor activation and potassium shift.
What to do
Monitor heart rate, blood pressure and serum potassium. Avoid in patients with significant arrhythmia or uncontrolled hypertension.
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 Salmeterol
- Ritonavir + Salmeterol Contraindicated
- Salmeterol + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Salmeterol Major
- Arformoterol + Salmeterol Major
- Atazanavir + Salmeterol Major
- Budesonide-formoterol + Salmeterol 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 Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine and Salmeterol 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 heart rate and blood pressure and can lower potassium with beta-2 stimulation. Combined with salmeterol, additive cardiovascular stimulation and hypokalemia may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine and Salmeterol?
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. Avoid in patients with significant arrhythmia or uncontrolled hypertension.
What other medicines interact with Salmeterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salmeterol with, for example, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Amitriptyline. The full list is on the Salmeterol page.
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