Drug interactions
Protriptyline + Terbutaline
Severity: Moderate
Protriptyline 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
Protriptyline may intensify the cardiovascular stimulation produced by terbutaline, causing tachycardia, arrhythmias and blood pressure changes. Protriptyline is strongly noradrenergic and has marked anticholinergic and tachycardic effects of its own.
What this interaction means in plain words
Protriptyline 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
Tricyclics block noradrenaline reuptake and add to adrenergic and anticholinergic effects on the heart, enhancing the sympathomimetic response.
What to do
Monitor ECG, heart rate and blood pressure when terbutaline is used systemically with protriptyline. Prefer inhaled dosing at the lowest effective dose and reassess if palpitations or arrhythmias occur.
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 Protriptyline with Terbutaline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Protriptyline 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. Protriptyline may intensify the cardiovascular stimulation produced by terbutaline, causing tachycardia, arrhythmias and blood pressure changes. Protriptyline is strongly noradrenergic and has marked anticholinergic and tachycardic effects of its own.
How serious is the interaction between Protriptyline 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: Monitor ECG, heart rate and blood pressure when terbutaline is used systemically with protriptyline. Prefer inhaled dosing at the lowest effective dose and reassess if palpitations or arrhythmias occur.
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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