Drug interactions
Metaproterenol + Phenylephrine
Severity: Moderate
Metaproterenol and Phenylephrine: 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
Metaproterenol is a beta-agonist bronchodilator that can raise heart rate and provoke arrhythmias, and phenylephrine adds vasoconstrictor and pressor effects. Using both may heighten cardiovascular stimulation, particularly in patients with coronary disease or hypertension.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metaproterenol and Phenylephrine 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.
Why it happens
Additive sympathomimetic effects via beta-adrenergic and alpha-1 adrenergic receptor stimulation.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and avoid systemic phenylephrine decongestants in patients with cardiovascular disease on metaproterenol. Lower the dose or stop one agent if palpitations or hypertension occur.
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 Phenylephrine
- Isocarboxazid + Phenylephrine Contraindicated
- Phenelzine + Phenylephrine Contraindicated
- Phenylephrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Bromocriptine + Phenylephrine Major
- Cocaine + Phenylephrine Major
- Dihydroergotamine intranasal + Phenylephrine Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metaproterenol with Phenylephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metaproterenol and Phenylephrine 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. Metaproterenol is a beta-agonist bronchodilator that can raise heart rate and provoke arrhythmias, and phenylephrine adds vasoconstrictor and pressor effects. Using both may heighten cardiovascular stimulation, particularly in patients with coronary disease or hypertension.
How serious is the interaction between Metaproterenol and Phenylephrine?
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 blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, and avoid systemic phenylephrine decongestants in patients with cardiovascular disease on metaproterenol. Lower the dose or stop one agent if palpitations or hypertension occur.
What other medicines interact with Phenylephrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Phenylephrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Tranylcypromine. The full list is on the Phenylephrine page.
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