Drug interactions
Esmolol + Propranolol
Severity: Moderate
Esmolol and Propranolol: 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 are beta blockers, so combining them duplicates therapy and adds to bradycardia, hypotension and AV block. Esmolol is short-acting and used in monitored settings, so the overlap is brief but additive.
What this interaction means in plain words
Esmolol and Propranolol 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; Propranolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic beta-adrenergic receptor blockade.
What to do
Avoid routine concurrent use; if esmolol is given to a patient on oral propranolol, monitor heart rate, blood pressure and ECG continuously and titrate esmolol conservatively.
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 Propranolol
- Propranolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Acebutolol + Propranolol Major
- Adrenaline-articaine + Propranolol Major
- Amifostine + Propranolol Major
- Amiodarone + Propranolol Major
- Arformoterol + Propranolol Major
Other interactions of Esmolol
- Acebutolol + Esmolol Major
- Amifostine + Esmolol Major
- Amiodarone + Esmolol Major
- Celiprolol + Esmolol Major
- Diltiazem + Esmolol Major
- Epinephrine racemic + Esmolol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Esmolol with Propranolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Esmolol and Propranolol 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 are beta blockers, so combining them duplicates therapy and adds to bradycardia, hypotension and AV block. Esmolol is short-acting and used in monitored settings, so the overlap is brief but additive.
How serious is the interaction between Esmolol and Propranolol?
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 routine concurrent use; if esmolol is given to a patient on oral propranolol, monitor heart rate, blood pressure and ECG continuously and titrate esmolol conservatively.
What other medicines interact with Propranolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Propranolol with, for example, Thioridazine, Acebutolol, Adrenaline-articaine. The full list is on the Propranolol page.
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