Drug interactions
Albuterol + Phenylephrine
Severity: Moderate
Albuterol 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
Both agents are sympathomimetics. Together they may additively raise blood pressure and heart rate and provoke palpitations or arrhythmias, especially with systemic phenylephrine or cardiac disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Albuterol 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 adrenergic stimulation: alpha-1 agonism from phenylephrine and beta-2 agonism from albuterol, with some beta-1 effects.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure, heart rate and rhythm, particularly in patients with hypertension or heart disease. Prefer non-sympathomimetic decongestants where appropriate.
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 Albuterol with Phenylephrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Albuterol 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. Both agents are sympathomimetics. Together they may additively raise blood pressure and heart rate and provoke palpitations or arrhythmias, especially with systemic phenylephrine or cardiac disease.
How serious is the interaction between Albuterol 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, particularly in patients with hypertension or heart disease. Prefer non-sympathomimetic decongestants where appropriate.
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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