This article describes possible interactions with albuterol metered aerosol. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Albuterol comes as a metered dose inhaler. It’s also available as an oral syrup, an oral tablet, and a liquid solution that you inhale using a nebulizer.
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Other drugs and albuterol
The drugs in the list below may interact with albuterol metered aerosol. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with albuterol.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with albuterol metered aerosol include:
- beta-blockers:
- drug examples: atenolol (Tenormin), propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL)
- what might happen: can make albuterol less effective
- loop or thiazide diuretics:
- drug examples: furosemide (Lasix), chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
- what might happen: can increase the risk and severity of side effects from the diuretic
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors:
- other short-acting bronchodilators (albuterol is a short-acting bronchodilator):
- drug examples: levalbuterol (Xopenex), epinephrine
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of albuterol and the other short-acting bronchodilator
- tricyclic antidepressants:
- drug examples: doxepin (Silenor), amitriptyline
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of albuterol
- digoxin (Lanoxin):
- what might happen: can make digoxin less effective
- midodrine (Orvaten):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of heart-related side effects caused by albuterol or midodrine
- phentermine (Adipex-P, Lomaira):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of heart-related side effects caused by albuterol or phentermine
- pseudoephedrine (Sudafed):
- what might happen: can increase the risk of heart-related side effects caused by albuterol or psuedoephedrine
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When to avoid albuterol
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with albuterol metered aerosol. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe albuterol in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a contraindication for albuterol metered aerosol:
- Past allergic reaction to albuterol: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to albuterol metered aerosol, using it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start using albuterol, tell your doctor if the above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take albuterol.
Questions about albuterol and interactions
Here you’ll find answers to some common questions about albuterol and possible interactions.
Can you take albuterol and cough medication together?
It depends on the specific cough medication and its active ingredients (what makes a medication work).
There are numerous medications that doctors recommend for treating cough. Examples include dextromethorphan (Delsym) and guaifenesin. These medications are not known to interact with albuterol.
However, albuterol can interact with the decongestants pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) and phenylephrine. Decongestants work to unblock your sinuses and chest when there is congestion. Some products marketed to treat cough and cold symptoms may contain ingredients that interact with albuterol. One example is the combination drug acetaminophen/dextromethorphan/guaifenesin/phenylephrine (Tylenol Cold+Flu, others).
Before taking cough medication during albuterol treatment, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. They can discuss the severity of this interaction and review the risks and benefits with you. They can also recommend a medication for your symptoms that won’t interact with albuterol.
Does albuterol interact with potassium-sparing diuretics, such as spironolactone?
No, it’s not expected to. Interactions between albuterol and potassium-sparing diuretics have not been reported. Potassium-sparing diuretics are a type of water pill that’s used to remove extra water and salt from your blood. Examples include spironolactone (Aldactone) and eplerenone (Inspra).
Other diuretics, such as thiazide or loop diuretics, can interact with albuterol by increasing the risk of hypokalemia (low blood potassium levels) as a side effect. This interaction occurs because both albuterol and the thiazide or loop diuretic can cause hypokalemia when used on their own. Combining these treatments further increases this risk. However, potassium-sparing diuretics don’t cause hypokalemia. In fact, they help increase the level of potassium in your blood.
Talk with your doctor if you have questions about using albuterol with certain diuretics.
Other interactions and albuterol
Interactions can occur with foods, supplements, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether albuterol metered aerosol has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with albuterol.
Albuterol and food
Albuterol can interact with caffeine found in certain foods and drinks. Examples include coffee, tea, certain energy drinks, and chocolate.
Caffeine can increase the effect of albuterol. And albuterol may increase the effect of caffeine. This combination could also increase the risk of certain side effects, including dizziness, headache, and increased heart rate.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about albuterol interactions with foods and what foods you should avoid while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Albuterol and supplements
Before using albuterol metered aerosol, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Albuterol can interact with caffeine supplements. It can also interact with supplements that contain caffeine, such as certain pre-workout supplements. Caffeine can increase the effect of albuterol. And albuterol may increase the effect of caffeine. This combination could also increase the risk of certain side effects, including dizziness, headache, and increased heart rate.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Albuterol interactions and herbs
Albuterol metered aerosol isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Albuterol interactions and vitamins
Albuterol metered aerosol isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Albuterol and vaccines
Albuterol metered aerosol isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Albuterol and lab tests
Albuterol metered aerosol isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Albuterol and cannabis or CBD
Albuterol metered aerosol isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with albuterol.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Alcohol and albuterol
Albuterol metered aerosol is not known to interact with alcohol.
If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Health factors and albuterol
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with albuterol metered aerosol. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before using albuterol, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether albuterol is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with albuterol metered aerosol:
Preventing albuterol interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with albuterol metered aerosol. Before using this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while using albuterol metered aerosol.
Using albuterol exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about albuterol and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does an albuterol metered inhaler have the same interactions as an albuterol nebulizer?
- Could I still use albuterol even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Are certain beta-blockers safer than others to use with albuterol? Or is this interaction the same with all beta-blockers?
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
