Drug interactions
Metolazone + Salbutamol
Severity: Moderate
Metolazone and Salbutamol: 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 can be pronounced with high-dose or nebulised salbutamol and a potent thiazide-like diuretic. Hypokalemia may cause arrhythmias and muscle weakness, especially in patients with heart disease or on digoxin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metolazone and Salbutamol 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.
Metolazone belongs to Cardiovascular; Salbutamol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Salbutamol shifts potassium into cells via beta-2 stimulation while metolazone increases renal potassium loss.
What to do
Check serum potassium and magnesium, especially with high-dose or nebulised salbutamol. Replace potassium as needed.
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 Salbutamol
Other interactions of Metolazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metolazone with Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metolazone and Salbutamol 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 can be pronounced with high-dose or nebulised salbutamol and a potent thiazide-like diuretic. Hypokalemia may cause arrhythmias and muscle weakness, especially in patients with heart disease or on digoxin.
How serious is the interaction between Metolazone and Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check serum potassium and magnesium, especially with high-dose or nebulised salbutamol. Replace potassium as needed.
What other medicines interact with Salbutamol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Salbutamol with, for example, Arsenic trioxide, Carvedilol, Droperidol. The full list is on the Salbutamol page.
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