Drug interactions
Formoterol + Succinylcholine
Severity: Moderate
Formoterol and Succinylcholine: 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
Succinylcholine can cause acute hyperkalemia, while formoterol shifts potassium into cells and may cause hypokalemia, and both can provoke arrhythmias. Beta-agonist induced hypokalemia may also change neuromuscular blockade and cardiac responses during anesthesia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Formoterol and Succinylcholine 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 belongs to Respiratory; Succinylcholine belongs to Musculoskeletal.
Why it happens
Opposing effects on serum potassium, with beta-2 stimulation causing intracellular potassium shift and succinylcholine causing potassium efflux from muscle.
What to do
Check serum potassium before anesthesia in patients on high-dose beta-agonists and monitor ECG and potassium perioperatively.
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
Other interactions of Succinylcholine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Formoterol with Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Formoterol and Succinylcholine 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. Succinylcholine can cause acute hyperkalemia, while formoterol shifts potassium into cells and may cause hypokalemia, and both can provoke arrhythmias. Beta-agonist induced hypokalemia may also change neuromuscular blockade and cardiac responses during anesthesia.
How serious is the interaction between Formoterol and Succinylcholine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum potassium before anesthesia in patients on high-dose beta-agonists and monitor ECG and potassium perioperatively.
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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