Drug interactions
Phenylephrine + Salmeterol
Severity: Moderate
Phenylephrine and Salmeterol: 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 have adrenergic activity, and combined use may add to tachycardia, palpitations, tremor and blood pressure elevation. This is relevant in patients with cardiovascular disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Phenylephrine and Salmeterol 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.
Phenylephrine belongs to Respiratory; Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive adrenergic agonist effects (beta-2 agonist plus alpha-agonist sympathomimetic).
What to do
Monitor heart rate and blood pressure, and avoid oral decongestants in patients with cardiac disease or arrhythmia.
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
Other interactions of Salmeterol
- Ritonavir + Salmeterol Contraindicated
- Salmeterol + Saquinavir Contraindicated
- Amitriptyline + Salmeterol Major
- Arformoterol + Salmeterol Major
- Atazanavir + Salmeterol Major
- Budesonide-formoterol + Salmeterol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Phenylephrine with Salmeterol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Phenylephrine and Salmeterol 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 have adrenergic activity, and combined use may add to tachycardia, palpitations, tremor and blood pressure elevation. This is relevant in patients with cardiovascular disease.
How serious is the interaction between Phenylephrine and Salmeterol?
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 heart rate and blood pressure, and avoid oral decongestants in patients with cardiac disease or arrhythmia.
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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