Drug interactions
Formoterol + Sodium sulfate / potassium chloride / magnesium sulfate / polyethylene glycol
Severity: Moderate
Formoterol and Sodium sulfate / potassium chloride / magnesium sulfate / polyethylene glycol: 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
Formoterol can lower serum potassium, and bowel-preparation solutions cause fluid and electrolyte losses that may also lower potassium and magnesium. Combined, they can raise the risk of significant hypokalemia and arrhythmia in vulnerable patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Formoterol and Sodium sulfate / potassium chloride / magnesium sulfate / polyethylene glycol 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.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia from beta-2-mediated intracellular potassium shift and gastrointestinal electrolyte losses from the bowel preparation.
What to do
Ensure adequate hydration and check electrolytes in patients with cardiac disease, renal disease or on other potassium-lowering drugs. Avoid extra doses of formoterol beyond the prescribed amount during bowel preparation.
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 Formoterol
- Adagrasib + Formoterol Major
- Amiodarone + Formoterol Major
- Amisulpride + Formoterol Major
- Amitriptyline + Formoterol Major
- Amoxapine + Formoterol Major
- Arformoterol + Formoterol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Formoterol with Sodium sulfate / potassium chloride / magnesium sulfate / polyethylene glycol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Formoterol and Sodium sulfate / potassium chloride / magnesium sulfate / polyethylene glycol 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. Formoterol can lower serum potassium, and bowel-preparation solutions cause fluid and electrolyte losses that may also lower potassium and magnesium. Combined, they can raise the risk of significant hypokalemia and arrhythmia in vulnerable patients.
How serious is the interaction between Formoterol and Sodium sulfate / potassium chloride / magnesium sulfate / polyethylene glycol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Ensure adequate hydration and check electrolytes in patients with cardiac disease, renal disease or on other potassium-lowering drugs. Avoid extra doses of formoterol beyond the prescribed amount during bowel preparation.
What other medicines interact with Formoterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Formoterol with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Formoterol page.
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