Drug interactions
Epinephrine + Furosemide
Severity: Moderate
Epinephrine and Furosemide: 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
Epinephrine can lower serum potassium through beta-2 mediated cellular uptake, which adds to furosemide's potassium loss and may raise arrhythmia risk. The effect is most relevant with systemic or high-dose epinephrine.
What this interaction means in plain words
Epinephrine and Furosemide 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.
Epinephrine belongs to Endocrine; Furosemide belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia from renal potassium wasting (furosemide) and beta-2 driven intracellular potassium shift (epinephrine).
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and ECG when systemic epinephrine is given to patients on furosemide, and replace potassium as needed.
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 Furosemide
- Amifostine + Furosemide Major
- Amikacin + Furosemide Major
- Carbenoxolone + Furosemide Major
- Cephaloridine + Furosemide Major
- Cisplatin + Furosemide Major
- Digoxin + Furosemide Major
Other interactions of Epinephrine
- Epinephrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Epinephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Epinephrine Major
- Amitriptyline + Epinephrine Major
- Amoxapine + Epinephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Epinephrine with Furosemide?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Epinephrine and Furosemide 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. Epinephrine can lower serum potassium through beta-2 mediated cellular uptake, which adds to furosemide's potassium loss and may raise arrhythmia risk. The effect is most relevant with systemic or high-dose epinephrine.
How serious is the interaction between Epinephrine and Furosemide?
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 and ECG when systemic epinephrine is given to patients on furosemide, and replace potassium as needed.
What other medicines interact with Furosemide?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Furosemide with, for example, Amifostine, Amikacin, Carbenoxolone. The full list is on the Furosemide page.
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