Drug interactions
Salmeterol + Terbutaline
Severity: Moderate
Salmeterol 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 combined use duplicates therapy and increases the risk of tachycardia, tremor, palpitations and hypokalemia. Excess beta-agonist exposure may also increase arrhythmia risk in susceptible patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Salmeterol 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.
Salmeterol belongs to Respiratory; Terbutaline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation causing cardiac stimulation and intracellular potassium shift.
What to do
Avoid routine concurrent use of two beta-2 agonists. If both are needed, monitor heart rate, tremor and serum potassium, particularly in patients with cardiac disease.
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
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 Salmeterol with Terbutaline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Salmeterol 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 combined use duplicates therapy and increases the risk of tachycardia, tremor, palpitations and hypokalemia. Excess beta-agonist exposure may also increase arrhythmia risk in susceptible patients.
How serious is the interaction between Salmeterol 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 routine concurrent use of two beta-2 agonists. If both are needed, monitor heart rate, tremor and serum potassium, particularly in patients with cardiac disease.
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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