Drug interactions
Hydrochlorothiazide + Salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Hydrochlorothiazide 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
Both drugs can lower serum potassium, and the effect may be additive. Hypokalemia can promote arrhythmias, especially in patients with heart disease or taking digoxin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrochlorothiazide 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.
Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to Cardiovascular; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive hypokalemia from beta-2 stimulated cellular potassium uptake and thiazide renal potassium loss.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium periodically and replace as required, especially in patients with cardiac disease or COPD.
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 Hydrochlorothiazide
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrochlorothiazide with Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrochlorothiazide 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. Both drugs can lower serum potassium, and the effect may be additive. Hypokalemia can promote arrhythmias, especially in patients with heart disease or taking digoxin.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrochlorothiazide 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: Monitor serum potassium periodically and replace as required, especially in patients with cardiac disease or COPD.
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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