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Drug interactions

Epinephrine racemic + Terbutaline

Severity: Moderate

Epinephrine racemic and Terbutaline: 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

Both drugs stimulate adrenergic receptors, so combined use may produce additive tachycardia, hypertension, tremor, arrhythmias and hypokalemia. Patients with ischemic heart disease or arrhythmias are at greatest risk.

What this interaction means in plain words

Epinephrine racemic and Terbutaline 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.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive adrenergic receptor stimulation, with beta-2 mediated cellular potassium uptake.

What to do

Avoid giving the two close together unless clinically needed, and monitor heart rate, blood pressure, ECG and potassium. Reduce doses if cardiovascular adverse effects develop.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

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Frequently asked questions

Can I take Epinephrine racemic with Terbutaline?

MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Epinephrine racemic and Terbutaline 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. Both drugs stimulate adrenergic receptors, so combined use may produce additive tachycardia, hypertension, tremor, arrhythmias and hypokalemia. Patients with ischemic heart disease or arrhythmias are at greatest risk.

How serious is the interaction between Epinephrine racemic and Terbutaline?

MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid giving the two close together unless clinically needed, and monitor heart rate, blood pressure, ECG and potassium. Reduce doses if cardiovascular adverse effects develop.

What other medicines interact with Terbutaline?

MediHelp also lists interactions of Terbutaline with, for example, Carvedilol, Droperidol, Fexinidazole. The full list is on the Terbutaline page.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

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