Drug interactions
Gemifloxacin + Salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Gemifloxacin and Salmeterol: 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
Gemifloxacin can prolong the QT interval, and salmeterol may add to this effect and lower potassium. Together they may increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in those with other risk factors.
What this interaction means in plain words
Gemifloxacin and Salmeterol 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.
Gemifloxacin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive QT prolongation, with beta-2 agonist induced hypokalemia adding risk.
What to do
Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, and monitor ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic if risk is high.
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 Salmeterol
- Ritonavir + Salmeterol Contraindicated
- Salmeterol + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Salmeterol Major
- Arformoterol + Salmeterol Major
- Atazanavir + Salmeterol Major
- Budesonide-formoterol + Salmeterol Major
Other interactions of Gemifloxacin
- Arsenic trioxide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Dofetilide + Gemifloxacin Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Ibutilide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Gemifloxacin + Vandetanib Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Gemifloxacin with Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Gemifloxacin and Salmeterol 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. Gemifloxacin can prolong the QT interval, and salmeterol may add to this effect and lower potassium. Together they may increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in those with other risk factors.
How serious is the interaction between Gemifloxacin and Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Correct hypokalemia and hypomagnesemia, and monitor ECG in patients with cardiac risk factors. Consider a non-QT-prolonging antibiotic if risk is high.
What other medicines interact with Salmeterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salmeterol with, for example, Ritonavir, Saquinavir, Amitriptyline. The full list is on the Salmeterol page.
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