Drug Interaction Report

Cyclopenthiazide and Albuterol Oral Inhalation: Interaction Details

A pharmacist-reviewed analysis of the Cyclopenthiazide and Albuterol Oral Inhalation interaction: the documented clinical effects, severity rating, onset, mechanism, and management considerations, with cited references throughout.

AI-assisted, pharmacist-reviewed · AI content regenerated Jul 11, 2026 · Source data updated Jul 2, 2026 · Sources: FDA labeling, DDInter 2.0, cited literature

Cyclopenthiazide

No brand names on record
+

Albuterol Oral Inhalation

Accuneb® Proair® HFA Proair® Respiclick Proventil® HFA Ventolin® HFA
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Medically reviewed by
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Updated Jul 2, 2026
Editorial policy · Data sources
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Interaction severity
Major
Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
How we grade severity & evidence

Severity levels

  • Contraindicated: These should generally not be used together.
  • Major: Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.
  • Moderate: Can be significant — usually manageable with monitoring.
  • Minor: Usually limited clinical impact.

Evidence grades

  • Established: Well documented — supported by controlled studies or strong clinical data.
  • Probable: Good supporting evidence, though not definitively proven.
  • Suspected: Some evidence suggests this interaction, but it is not well established.
  • Possible: Limited or conflicting evidence; the interaction may occur.
  • Theoretical: Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.

Ratings come from the documented interaction literature and are reviewed by a pharmacist. They describe the documented risk of the combination, not what will necessarily happen to you — your dose, timing, and health picture all matter.

Of 44 documented Cyclopenthiazide interactions, 32 are rated major — including this one.
Worried about symptoms right now? Contact your pharmacist or prescriber, or call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 (US). Call 911 for an emergency.
At a glance + Theoretical Effects may be stronger
The Bottom Line
Using cyclopenthiazide and albuterol together can lower potassium more than either alone, so use your inhaler as directed and let your care team check your potassium level. This is manageable with monitoring.

Here's what's going on. Cyclopenthiazide is a water pill (a thiazide diuretic) that can lower your body's potassium level. Albuterol, the inhaler you use for breathing, can also nudge potassium a little lower. Put them together and your potassium could drop more than expected, which in some cases can affect your heart's rhythm.

This is more of a theoretical concern, and it's most likely if you use your inhaler more often than directed. The good news is that this is easy to keep an eye on. Keep taking both exactly as prescribed, and let your pharmacist or doctor know you use them together so they can check your potassium if needed.

Mechanism: Additive potassium-lowering effect. Cyclopenthiazide (thiazide diuretic) causes renal potassium wasting; albuterol (beta-2 agonist) drives intracellular potassium shift. Combined use may potentiate hypokalemia and associated ECG changes (QT prolongation, arrhythmia risk).

  • Direction: Additive PD effect, increased hypokalemia risk.
  • Onset: Unspecified.
  • Evidence: Theoretical.
  • Magnitude: Greatest with beta-agonist doses exceeding recommendations.
  • Management: Monitor serum potassium during albuterol therapy; correct deficits; consider ECG if symptomatic. Neither agent is metabolism-dependent here (pharmacodynamic interaction).
Onset
unspecified
Evidence
theoretical
Severity
Major

What happens

An increased risk of ECG changes or hypokalemia

Interaction Deep Dive

Exercise caution when albuterol is given together with a diuretic that depletes potassium. Combining albuterol, which is a beta-adrenergic agonist, with a potassium-depleting diuretic such as a loop or thiazide diuretic can heighten the likelihood of hypokalemia or ECG alterations, particularly when beta-agonist doses go beyond recommended levels. Monitoring of potassium concentrations during treatment with albuterol should be considered12.

Why it happens (mechanism)

Potentiation of diuretic-induced ECG changes and hypokalemia by albuterol

How to manage this interaction

The reassuring part: your care team can manage this by watching your potassium.

  • Keep taking both as prescribed. Do not stop or change either one on your own.
  • Use your albuterol inhaler only as directed. The risk goes up mainly with higher-than-recommended doses.
  • Your team may check your potassium level, especially if you use albuterol regularly, and may adjust things or add monitoring based on your results.
  • Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you feel muscle cramps, weakness, palpitations, or an irregular heartbeat.

Management is individual — confirm any change with your pharmacist or prescriber.

Common questions

Can I take Cyclopenthiazide and Albuterol Oral Inhalation together?

Using cyclopenthiazide and albuterol together can lower potassium more than either alone, so use your inhaler as directed and let your care team check your potassium level. This is manageable with monitoring. Always confirm with your pharmacist or prescriber before making any change.

How serious is the Cyclopenthiazide and Albuterol Oral Inhalation interaction?

It is rated major. Potentially serious — often needs a change or close monitoring.

How quickly could this interaction happen?

The documented onset is "unspecified". The timing of this interaction is not well characterized.

How is the Cyclopenthiazide and Albuterol Oral Inhalation interaction managed?

The reassuring part: your care team can manage this by watching your potassium. Keep taking both as prescribed. Do not stop or change either one on your own. Use your albuterol inhaler only as directed. The risk goes up mainly with higher-than-recommended doses. Your team may check your potassium level, especially if you use albuterol regularly, and may adjust things or add monitoring based on you… Management is individual — always follow your own care team's guidance.

How strong is the evidence for this interaction?

The evidence is graded "theoretical". Predicted from the drugs' pharmacology; not yet confirmed in people.

Questions for your pharmacist

  • Does my dose of Cyclopenthiazide or Albuterol Oral Inhalation need adjusting while I take them together?
  • What symptoms should prompt me to call you or my prescriber right away?
  • Does the timing of my doses matter for this combination?
  • Is there a safer alternative to one of these medications for me?

References (2)

  1. Product Information: PROAIR(R) RESPICLICK(TM) oral inhalation powder, albuterol sulfate oral inhalation powder. Teva Respiratory, LLC (per manufacturer), Horsham, PA, 2015. DailyMed
  2. Product Information: AIRSUPRA(TM) oral inhalation aerosol, albuterol budesonide oral inhalation aerosol. AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals LP (per FDA), Wilmington, DE, 2023. DailyMed
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