Drug interactions
Metoprolol + Salbutamol
Severity: Moderate
Metoprolol 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
Beta-blockers oppose the bronchodilating action of salbutamol and may provoke bronchospasm in people with asthma or COPD. Metoprolol is relatively beta-1 selective, so the effect is less than with non-selective agents, but it is dose-dependent and can still reduce salbutamol response.
What this interaction means in plain words
Metoprolol 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.
Metoprolol belongs to Cardiovascular; Salbutamol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism at beta-adrenergic receptors; metoprolol's beta-1 selectivity is lost at higher doses.
What to do
If a beta-blocker is needed in reactive airway disease, use the lowest effective dose of a cardioselective agent and monitor respiratory function. Be aware that higher salbutamol doses may be needed during exacerbations.
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 Metoprolol
- Metoprolol + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amifostine + Metoprolol Major
- Amiodarone + Metoprolol Major
- Atenolol-chlorthalidone + Metoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Metoprolol Major
- Betaxolol + Metoprolol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Metoprolol with Salbutamol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Metoprolol 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. Beta-blockers oppose the bronchodilating action of salbutamol and may provoke bronchospasm in people with asthma or COPD. Metoprolol is relatively beta-1 selective, so the effect is less than with non-selective agents, but it is dose-dependent and can still reduce salbutamol response.
How serious is the interaction between Metoprolol 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: If a beta-blocker is needed in reactive airway disease, use the lowest effective dose of a cardioselective agent and monitor respiratory function. Be aware that higher salbutamol doses may be needed during exacerbations.
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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