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Can you take Bitolterol with Telithromycin?

1 drug interaction and 19 additional warnings found for the following 2 drugs:

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Drug interactions

Moderate drug interactions

Moderate:

bitolterol telithromycin

Applies to: bitolterol and telithromycin

Using bitolterol together with telithromycin can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a rare side effect.

You may be more susceptible if you have:

  • a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome
  • other cardiac diseases
  • conduction abnormalities
  • electrolyte disturbances (for example, magnesium or potassium loss due to severe or prolonged diarrhea or vomiting)

The risk may exist even when bitolterol or similar medications are given by oral inhalation directly into the lungs, and more so if these products are overused. Do not exceed the dose and frequency of use recommended on the product label or prescribed by your doctor.

Talk to your doctor if you have any questions or concerns. Your doctor may already be aware of the risks, but has determined that this is the best course of treatment for you and has taken appropriate precautions and is monitoring you closely for any potential complications.

You should seek immediate medical attention if you develop sudden dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, shortness of breath, or heart palpitations during treatment with these medications.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate food/lifestyle interactions

Moderate:

bitolterol Caffeine

Applies to: bitolterol

Both bitolterol and caffeine can increase blood pressure and heart rate, and combining them may enhance these effects.

Talk to your doctor before using these medications, especially if you have a history of high blood pressure or heart disease. You may need a dose adjustment or more frequent monitoring by your doctor to safely use both medications.

Contact your doctor if your condition changes or you experience increased side effects.

It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.

Disease interactions

18 potential interactions Applies to: 17 conditions, including High Blood Pressure, Seizures, Arrhythmia, Hypokalemia, and Hyperthyroidism.

Abnormal Electrocardiogram

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Abnormal Electrocardiogram.

Telithromycin may prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. QTC prolongation has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. No cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with telithromycin treatment in nearly 5000 patients in clinical efficacy trials, including 204 patients who had a prolonged QTc interval at baseline. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study found no significant QT prolongation in 34 healthy volunteers at all heart rates tested following telithromycin administered as repeated doses of 800 mg or as single doses of up to 2400 mg. Nevertheless, therapy with telithromycin should be avoided in patients with preexisting arrhythmia or congenital prolongation of the QTc interval. It should also be avoided in the presence of proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; clinically significant bradycardia; or concomitant use of class IA or III antiarrhythmic drugs or other medications that are known to produce an increase in the QTc interval.

Alcoholism

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Alcoholism.

Hepatic dysfunction, including elevated liver enzymes and hepatitis, with or without jaundice, has been reported with the use of telithromycin. Although these events are generally reversible, liver failure resulting in transplantation or death has been reported rarely during postmarketing use. Alcohol use may have been a contributing factor in some of the severe cases. Therapy with telithromycin should preferably be avoided in patients with alcoholism, liver disease, or a prior history of hepatitis/jaundice associated with use of the drug. Patients treated with telithromycin should be instructed to discontinue the drug and seek medical attention promptly if signs and symptoms of hepatic injury develop such as fever, pruritus, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice.

The pharmacokinetics of telithromycin is not significantly altered in the presence of hepatic impairment due to a compensatory increase in renal elimination. No dosage adjustment is necessary unless renal function is also severely impaired (CrCl < 30 mL/min).

Arrhythmia

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Arrhythmia.

Telithromycin may prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. QTC prolongation has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. No cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with telithromycin treatment in nearly 5000 patients in clinical efficacy trials, including 204 patients who had a prolonged QTc interval at baseline. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study found no significant QT prolongation in 34 healthy volunteers at all heart rates tested following telithromycin administered as repeated doses of 800 mg or as single doses of up to 2400 mg. Nevertheless, therapy with telithromycin should be avoided in patients with preexisting arrhythmia or congenital prolongation of the QTc interval. It should also be avoided in the presence of proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; clinically significant bradycardia; or concomitant use of class IA or III antiarrhythmic drugs or other medications that are known to produce an increase in the QTc interval.

Autoimmune Hepatitis

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Autoimmune Hepatitis.

The use of telithromycin is contraindicated in patients with previous history of hepatitis and/or jaundice associated with the use of any macrolide antibacterial agent.

Diabetes Mellitus

Moderate:

bitolterol

Bitolterol has a moderate potential interaction with Diabetes Mellitus.

Adrenergic bronchodilators may cause increases in blood glucose concentrations. These effects are usually transient and slight, but may be significant with dosages higher than those normally recommended. Large doses of IV albuterol (not commercially available in the U.S.) and terbutaline sulfate have been reported to cause exacerbation of preexisting diabetes mellitus and ketoacidosis. Therapy with adrenergic bronchodilators should be administered cautiously in patients with diabetes mellitus. Closer monitoring of blood glucose concentrations may be appropriate. Systemic adverse effects are minimized, but not abolished, by administration of these agents via oral inhalation.

Electrolyte Abnormalities

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Electrolyte Abnormalities.

Telithromycin may prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. QTC prolongation has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. No cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with telithromycin treatment in nearly 5000 patients in clinical efficacy trials, including 204 patients who had a prolonged QTc interval at baseline. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study found no significant QT prolongation in 34 healthy volunteers at all heart rates tested following telithromycin administered as repeated doses of 800 mg or as single doses of up to 2400 mg. Nevertheless, therapy with telithromycin should be avoided in patients with preexisting arrhythmia or congenital prolongation of the QTc interval. It should also be avoided in the presence of proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; clinically significant bradycardia; or concomitant use of class IA or III antiarrhythmic drugs or other medications that are known to produce an increase in the QTc interval.

Heart Disease

Moderate:

bitolterol

Bitolterol has a moderate potential interaction with Heart Disease.

Adrenergic bronchodilators can stimulate cardiovascular beta- 1 and beta- 2 receptors, resulting in adverse effects such as tachycardia, palpitation, peripheral vasodilation, blood pressure changes, and ECG changes (e.g., flattening of the T wave; prolongation of the QT interval; ST segment depression). Direct stimulation of cardiac tissues is mediated by beta- 1 receptors and thus less likely to occur with beta-2-selective agents such as albuterol. However, beta-2-selectivity is not absolute and can be lost with larger doses. High dosages of these agents have been associated with precipitation or aggravation of angina, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac arrhythmias. Therapy with adrenergic bronchodilators should be administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, and/or underlying cardiovascular disorders such as coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, or hypertension. The recommended dosages should not be exceeded.

Hemodialysis

Moderate:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Hemodialysis.

The effect of hemodialysis on removing telithromycin from the body has not been studied. Doses should be given after the dialysis session on dialysis days.

High Blood Pressure

Moderate:

bitolterol

Bitolterol has a moderate potential interaction with High Blood Pressure.

Adrenergic bronchodilators can stimulate cardiovascular beta- 1 and beta- 2 receptors, resulting in adverse effects such as tachycardia, palpitation, peripheral vasodilation, blood pressure changes, and ECG changes (e.g., flattening of the T wave; prolongation of the QT interval; ST segment depression). Direct stimulation of cardiac tissues is mediated by beta- 1 receptors and thus less likely to occur with beta-2-selective agents such as albuterol. However, beta-2-selectivity is not absolute and can be lost with larger doses. High dosages of these agents have been associated with precipitation or aggravation of angina, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac arrhythmias. Therapy with adrenergic bronchodilators should be administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, and/or underlying cardiovascular disorders such as coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, or hypertension. The recommended dosages should not be exceeded.

Hyperthyroidism

Moderate:

bitolterol

Bitolterol has a moderate potential interaction with Hyperthyroidism.

Adrenergic bronchodilators can stimulate cardiovascular beta- 1 and beta- 2 receptors, resulting in adverse effects such as tachycardia, palpitation, peripheral vasodilation, blood pressure changes, and ECG changes (e.g., flattening of the T wave; prolongation of the QT interval; ST segment depression). Direct stimulation of cardiac tissues is mediated by beta- 1 receptors and thus less likely to occur with beta-2-selective agents such as albuterol. However, beta-2-selectivity is not absolute and can be lost with larger doses. High dosages of these agents have been associated with precipitation or aggravation of angina, myocardial ischemia, and cardiac arrhythmias. Therapy with adrenergic bronchodilators should be administered cautiously in patients with sensitivity to sympathomimetic amines, hyperthyroidism, and/or underlying cardiovascular disorders such as coronary insufficiency, cardiac arrhythmias, or hypertension. The recommended dosages should not be exceeded.

Hypokalemia

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Hypokalemia.

Telithromycin may prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. QTC prolongation has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. No cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with telithromycin treatment in nearly 5000 patients in clinical efficacy trials, including 204 patients who had a prolonged QTc interval at baseline. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study found no significant QT prolongation in 34 healthy volunteers at all heart rates tested following telithromycin administered as repeated doses of 800 mg or as single doses of up to 2400 mg. Nevertheless, therapy with telithromycin should be avoided in patients with preexisting arrhythmia or congenital prolongation of the QTc interval. It should also be avoided in the presence of proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; clinically significant bradycardia; or concomitant use of class IA or III antiarrhythmic drugs or other medications that are known to produce an increase in the QTc interval.

Moderate:

bitolterol

Bitolterol has a moderate potential interaction with Hypokalemia.

Adrenergic bronchodilators may cause decreases in serum potassium concentrations, primarily when given by nebulization or intravenous administration. Although this effect is usually transient and does not require supplementation, clinically significant hypokalemia may occur in some patients, with the potential to induce cardiovascular adverse effects. The relevance of these observations to oral or oral aerosol/powder for inhalation therapy is unknown. Therapy with adrenergic bronchodilators should be administered cautiously in patients with or predisposed to hypokalemia.

Liver Disease

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Liver Disease.

Hepatic dysfunction, including elevated liver enzymes and hepatitis, with or without jaundice, has been reported with the use of telithromycin. Although these events are generally reversible, liver failure resulting in transplantation or death has been reported rarely during postmarketing use. Alcohol use may have been a contributing factor in some of the severe cases. Therapy with telithromycin should preferably be avoided in patients with alcoholism, liver disease, or a prior history of hepatitis/jaundice associated with use of the drug. Patients treated with telithromycin should be instructed to discontinue the drug and seek medical attention promptly if signs and symptoms of hepatic injury develop such as fever, pruritus, rash, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, right upper quadrant pain, dark urine, and jaundice.

The pharmacokinetics of telithromycin is not significantly altered in the presence of hepatic impairment due to a compensatory increase in renal elimination. No dosage adjustment is necessary unless renal function is also severely impaired (CrCl < 30 mL/min).

Magnesium Imbalance

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Magnesium Imbalance.

Telithromycin may prolong the QTc interval of the electrocardiogram in some patients. QTC prolongation has been associated with an increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias including ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and torsade de pointes. No cardiovascular morbidity or mortality attributable to QTc prolongation occurred with telithromycin treatment in nearly 5000 patients in clinical efficacy trials, including 204 patients who had a prolonged QTc interval at baseline. In addition, a pharmacokinetic study found no significant QT prolongation in 34 healthy volunteers at all heart rates tested following telithromycin administered as repeated doses of 800 mg or as single doses of up to 2400 mg. Nevertheless, therapy with telithromycin should be avoided in patients with preexisting arrhythmia or congenital prolongation of the QTc interval. It should also be avoided in the presence of proarrhythmic conditions such as uncorrected hypokalemia or hypomagnesemia; clinically significant bradycardia; or concomitant use of class IA or III antiarrhythmic drugs or other medications that are known to produce an increase in the QTc interval.

Myasthenia Gravis

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Myasthenia Gravis.

Telithromycin is contraindicated in patients with myasthenia gravis. There have been reports of fatal and life-threatening respiratory failure in patients with myasthenia gravis associated with the use of this drug.

Noninfectious Colitis

Major:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a major potential interaction with Noninfectious Colitis.

Clostridioides difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD), formerly pseudomembranous colitis, has been reported with almost all antibacterial drugs and may range from mild diarrhea to fatal colitis. The most common culprits include clindamycin and lincomycin. Antibacterial therapy alters the normal flora of the colon, leading to overgrowth of C difficile, whose toxins A and B contribute to CDAD development. Morbidity and mortality are increased with hypertoxin-producing strains of C difficile; these infections can be resistant to antimicrobial therapy and may require colectomy. CDAD must be considered in all patients who present with diarrhea after antibacterial use. Since CDAD has been reported to occur more than 2 months after antibacterial use, careful medical history is necessary. Therapy with broad-spectrum antibacterials and other agents with significant antibacterial activity should be administered cautiously in patients with history of gastrointestinal disease, particularly colitis; pseudomembranous colitis (generally characterized by severe, persistent diarrhea and severe abdominal cramps, and sometimes associated with the passage of blood and mucus), if it occurs, may be more severe in these patients and may be associated with flares in underlying disease activity. Antibacterial drugs not directed against C difficile may need to be stopped if CDAD is suspected or confirmed. Appropriate fluid and electrolyte management, protein supplementation, antibacterial treatment of C difficile, and surgical evaluation should be started as clinically indicated.

Renal Dysfunction

Moderate:

telithromycin

Telithromycin has a moderate potential interaction with Renal Dysfunction.

Telithromycin is eliminated by both renal and hepatic routes. In a multiple-dose study of subjects with varying degrees of renal impairment, patients classified as having severely impaired renal function (CrCl < 30 mL/min) had a 1.4-fold increase in steady-state peak plasma concentration (Cmax) and a 1.9-fold increase in systemic exposure (AUC) of telithromycin compared to healthy volunteers following administration of 800 mg once daily for 5 days. Renal excretion may serve as a compensatory elimination pathway for telithromycin in situations where metabolic clearance is impaired. In one study, coadministration of ketoconazole (which inhibits metabolism of telithromycin via CYP450 3A4) in 2 patients with severe renal impairment resulted in a 4- to 5-fold increase in telithromycin AUC compared to that in healthy subjects with normal renal function receiving telithromycin alone. Since patients with severe renal impairment are prone to conditions that may impair their metabolic clearance, telithromycin dosage should be reduced to 600 mg once daily in patients with severe renal impairment (CrCl < 30 mL/min), including those undergoing dialysis. The dosage should be further reduced to 400 mg once daily if there is coexisting hepatic impairment.

Seizures

Moderate:

bitolterol

Bitolterol has a moderate potential interaction with Seizures.

Adrenergic bronchodilators may cause CNS stimulation. Therapy with adrenergic bronchodilators should be administered cautiously in patients with seizure disorders. Systemic adverse effects are minimized, but not abolished, by administration of these agents via oral inhalation.

More resources

bitolterol

A total of 396 drugs are known to interact with bitolterol.

telithromycin

A total of 709 drugs are known to interact with telithromycin.

Drug Interaction Classification

These classifications are only a guideline. The relevance of a particular drug interaction to a specific individual is difficult to determine. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting or stopping any medication.
Major Highly clinically significant. Avoid combinations; the risk of the interaction outweighs the benefit.
Moderate Moderately clinically significant. Usually avoid combinations; use it only under special circumstances.
Minor Minimally clinically significant. Minimize risk; assess risk and consider an alternative drug, take steps to circumvent the interaction risk and/or institute a monitoring plan.
Unknown No interaction information available.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.