Drug interactions
Esmolol + Nifedipine
Severity: Moderate
Esmolol and Nifedipine: 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
Combining a beta-blocker with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker produces additive blood pressure lowering. Nifedipine can also cause reflex tachycardia that esmolol blunts, which is often beneficial, but hypotension or reduced cardiac output may occur in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Esmolol and Nifedipine 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.
Esmolol belongs to Cardiovascular; Nifedipine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effects: beta-1 blockade reduces heart rate and contractility while nifedipine causes arterial vasodilation.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate during esmolol infusion and titrate it carefully. Take extra care in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or low baseline blood pressure.
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 Esmolol
- Acebutolol + Esmolol Major
- Amifostine + Esmolol Major
- Amiodarone + Esmolol Major
- Celiprolol + Esmolol Major
- Diltiazem + Esmolol Major
- Epinephrine racemic + Esmolol Major
Other interactions of Nifedipine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Esmolol with Nifedipine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Esmolol and Nifedipine 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. Combining a beta-blocker with a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker produces additive blood pressure lowering. Nifedipine can also cause reflex tachycardia that esmolol blunts, which is often beneficial, but hypotension or reduced cardiac output may occur in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Esmolol and Nifedipine?
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 blood pressure and heart rate during esmolol infusion and titrate it carefully. Take extra care in patients with left ventricular dysfunction or low baseline blood pressure.
What other medicines interact with Esmolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Esmolol with, for example, Acebutolol, Amifostine, Amiodarone. The full list is on the Esmolol page.
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