Drug interactions
Pirbuterol + Terbutaline
Severity: Moderate
Pirbuterol 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 drugs are beta-2 agonists, so using them together duplicates therapy and adds to adrenergic effects such as tachycardia, tremor, raised blood pressure and hypokalemia. The risk of arrhythmia rises, especially in patients with heart disease or low potassium.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pirbuterol 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.
Why it happens
Additive beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation, including beta-2 mediated intracellular potassium shift and cardiac stimulation.
What to do
Avoid concurrent use of two short-acting beta-2 agonists where possible and use a single agent. If both are given, monitor heart rate, blood pressure and serum potassium.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Pirbuterol with Terbutaline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Pirbuterol 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 drugs are beta-2 agonists, so using them together duplicates therapy and adds to adrenergic effects such as tachycardia, tremor, raised blood pressure and hypokalemia. The risk of arrhythmia rises, especially in patients with heart disease or low potassium.
How serious is the interaction between Pirbuterol 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: Avoid concurrent use of two short-acting beta-2 agonists where possible and use a single agent. If both are given, monitor heart rate, blood pressure and serum potassium.
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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