Drug interactions
Hydrochlorothiazide + Methylprednisolone
Severity: Moderate
Hydrochlorothiazide and Methylprednisolone: 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 promote urinary potassium loss, so using them together can cause clinically important hypokalemia. Low potassium raises the risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness, particularly in patients with heart disease or those taking digoxin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrochlorothiazide and Methylprednisolone 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.
Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular; Methylprednisolone belongs to Endocrine.
Why it happens
Additive potassium wasting from thiazide diuretic action and the mineralocorticoid effect of the corticosteroid.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium regularly and replace as needed. Consider potassium supplementation or a potassium-sparing agent if prolonged co-therapy is required.
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 Methylprednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Other interactions of Hydrochlorothiazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrochlorothiazide with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrochlorothiazide and Methylprednisolone 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 promote urinary potassium loss, so using them together can cause clinically important hypokalemia. Low potassium raises the risk of arrhythmias and muscle weakness, particularly in patients with heart disease or those taking digoxin.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrochlorothiazide and Methylprednisolone?
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 serum potassium regularly and replace as needed. Consider potassium supplementation or a potassium-sparing agent if prolonged co-therapy is required.
What other medicines interact with Methylprednisolone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Methylprednisolone with, for example, Bcg vaccine live, Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live, Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live. The full list is on the Methylprednisolone page.
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