Drug interactions
Hydrocortisone + Metolazone
Severity: Moderate
Hydrocortisone and Metolazone: 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 potassium loss, so combined use increases the risk of hypokalemia. Metolazone is potent, particularly with a loop diuretic, so the effect can be significant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Hydrocortisone and Metolazone 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.
Hydrocortisone belongs to Endocrine; Metolazone belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive renal potassium wasting from corticosteroid mineralocorticoid activity and thiazide-like diuresis.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and magnesium regularly and replace as needed. Take extra care in patients with heart disease or on digoxin or QT-prolonging drugs.
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 Hydrocortisone
- Hydrocortisone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent Contraindicated
- Hydrocortisone + Smallpox vaccine live Contraindicated
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aldesleukin + Hydrocortisone Major
- Aspirin + Hydrocortisone Major
Other interactions of Metolazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Hydrocortisone with Metolazone?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Hydrocortisone and Metolazone 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 potassium loss, so combined use increases the risk of hypokalemia. Metolazone is potent, particularly with a loop diuretic, so the effect can be significant.
How serious is the interaction between Hydrocortisone and Metolazone?
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 and magnesium regularly and replace as needed. Take extra care in patients with heart disease or on digoxin or QT-prolonging drugs.
What other medicines interact with Hydrocortisone?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Hydrocortisone with, for example, Mifepristone, Poliovirus vaccine live oral trivalent, Smallpox vaccine live. The full list is on the Hydrocortisone page.
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