Drug interactions
Metolazone + Terbutaline
Severity: Moderate
Metolazone and Terbutaline: 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 agents lower serum potassium, so combined use can cause clinically important hypokalemia. Low potassium raises the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, particularly with high-dose terbutaline, cardiac disease or digoxin use.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metolazone and Terbutaline 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; Terbutaline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Terbutaline shifts potassium into cells via beta-2 stimulation while metolazone increases renal potassium loss, producing additive hypokalemia.
What to do
Check serum potassium and magnesium at baseline and periodically, and replace as needed. Take extra care in patients with heart disease or on other 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 Terbutaline
Other interactions of Metolazone
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metolazone with Terbutaline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metolazone and Terbutaline 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 agents lower serum potassium, so combined use can cause clinically important hypokalemia. Low potassium raises the risk of ventricular arrhythmias, particularly with high-dose terbutaline, cardiac disease or digoxin use.
How serious is the interaction between Metolazone and Terbutaline?
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 at baseline and periodically, and replace as needed. Take extra care in patients with heart disease or on other QT-prolonging drugs.
What other medicines interact with Terbutaline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Terbutaline with, for example, Carvedilol, Droperidol, Fexinidazole. The full list is on the Terbutaline page.
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