Drug & supplement interaction

Yerba Mate + Albuterol

Albuterol brand names: Proventil, Volmax, Ventolin (U.S.), ProAir HFA.

Moderate Interaction
Medically reviewed by · Updated September 2026
The bottom line Moderate

Yerba Mate has a moderate interaction with Albuterol. Theoretically, the caffeine in yerba mate might increase the cardiac inotropic effects of beta-agonists, especially if taken in large amounts.

Read the full interaction report
SeverityModerate
LikelihoodProbable
EvidenceD
What do Severity, Likelihood & Evidence mean?
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Interaction report

Yerba Mate and Albuterol

Here is the interaction we found between these two, with the evidence behind it.

Moderate

BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS

Why this applies to Albuterol

Albuterol falls under BETA-ADRENERGIC AGONISTS — the group Yerba Mate interacts with.

Theoretically, the caffeine in yerba mate might increase the cardiac inotropic effects of beta-agonists, especially if taken in large amounts.
Yerba mate contains caffeine. Caffeine can increase cardiac inotropic effects of beta-agonists.
Severity Moderate Likelihood Probable Evidence D

Interaction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports..

Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS
Dr. Brian Staiger explains PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist

Here's the simple version: your albuterol inhaler (Ventolin, ProAir) works by stimulating the heart and lungs, and that's why a puff can sometimes leave you feeling shaky, jittery, or aware of a faster, pounding heartbeat. Yerba mate brings its own kick because it's loaded with caffeine. Stack the two together and those stimulant effects can add up, so you might notice more of a racing heart, palpitations, restlessness, or the jitters.

To be honest, this concern is mostly theoretical, based on how these two behave rather than strong studies, and a casual cup probably won't cause trouble. But large amounts of mate plus frequent inhaler use is worth flagging. If you notice your heart racing, check in with your pharmacist or doctor.

Contact Dr. Brian directly if you have additional questions on this interaction
References
  1. McEvoy GK, ed. AHFS Drug Information. Bethesda, MD: American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, 1998.

What These Ratings Mean

Every interaction above is graded three ways — here’s the key to each label.

Severity how clinically significant the interaction is
Major

Clinically significant. Avoid the combination, or use only under close professional supervision.

Moderate

Usually worth avoiding or managing — may need monitoring, a dose change, or timing apart.

Minor

Generally not serious. Be aware of it and mention it to your pharmacist.

Likelihood how strong the evidence is that the interaction actually happens in people
  • LikelyWell-controlled human studies have demonstrated the likely existence of this interaction.
  • ProbableInteraction has not been documented in well-controlled studies, however, the interaction has been demonstrated in some small human studies or in controlled animal studies in conjunction with multiple case reports.
  • PossibleInteraction has been documented in animal or in lab research, or the interaction has been documented in humans but is limited to case reports or conflicting clinical research exists.
  • UnlikelyInteraction has been demonstrated in animal or in lab research but has been shown not to occur in humans.
Evidence the quality of the studies behind the rating (graded A–D)
  • AHigh-quality meta-analysis (quantitative systematic review).
  • BCase-control study.
  • CConsensus.
  • DAnecdotal evidence.

These ratings are for information only. Never start, stop, or otherwise change your therapy before speaking with your provider.

Keep it in perspective

Yerba Mate Also Interacts With Other Medications

Yerba Mate has 8 major, 504 moderate, 573 minor known drug interactions in our database — the Albuterol one above is one of them. If you take anything else, check it against the full list below.

Major 8 Moderate 504 Minor 573 No known interaction 1,745 (incl. Albuterol)
Taking anything else?

Check Another of Your Medications Against Yerba Mate

Covers the 2,830 medications we’ve checked against Yerba Mate. Pick one to open its full report.

From our Q&A

Questions About Yerba Mate or Albuterol

These are real questions from readers, answered by the pharmacists at HelloPharmacist — written by a person, not generated from a database. Each one covers Yerba Mate or Albuterol, not necessarily both, but if one is close to what you were about to ask it will usually go further than a database entry can:

Not quite your question? Ask our pharmacists directly — it is free, there is no account required, and answers usually come back within 24 hours.

Everything else you take

See Every Supplement That Interacts With Albuterol

This page covers Yerba Mate only. If you take other supplements — a multivitamin, a sleep aid, something for joints — the Albuterol page lists 32 supplements it has a documented interaction with, worst first, each one explained.

The most serious there right now: Activated Charcoal (major), Black Tea (moderate), Caffeine (moderate), Cocoa (moderate) and Coffee (moderate).

By severity: 1 major · 22 moderate · 9 minor.

From our pharmacist’s overview on the Albuterol page

“Albuterol is a rescue drug; when an asthma attack hits, a Ventolin or ProAir inhaler has to work, which is why this list deserves a careful read rather than a skim. Of the 32 ingredients on file, activated charcoal alone is rated major, since it can soak up the drug and blunt its effect no matter how the albuterol was taken.”

Reviewed by 2 · Jul 18, 2026

Open the Albuterol interaction page

One more smart check

Taking Yerba Mate as Part of a Dietary Supplement Product? Check It for Interactions

We hold 68 real supplement products containing Yerba Mate, each one broken down to its full ingredient list — and combination products often carry several ingredients besides Yerba Mate. Your product may carry other ingredients that interact with Albuterol too, on top of Yerba Mate — and those would not show on this page. Find your product and we’ll check every ingredient on its label:

How much people look this up

Where Yerba Mate and Albuterol Sit Against Everything Else

Out of every supplement and medication people look up on HelloPharmacist, here is where these two land this week — and which way each has been moving.

Supplement Yerba Mate
Steady interest

#1,100 of 1,452 supplements looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today
Medication Albuterol
Steady interest

#1,803 of 2,830 medications looked up here in the last 7 days

29 days ago today

Position among everything looked up on this site, not a measure of how commonly either one is used or how important it is. A supplement can climb this list because of a news story. It counts every request to the page, automated ones included, and nothing here identifies anyone.

Supplement

About Yerba Mate

What is Yerba Mate?

Yerba Mate
  • Energy and alertness
  • Weight loss
  • Mental focus
  • Digestive support
  • Antioxidant support

Yerba mate is a caffeine-containing herbal beverage from South America that is widely enjoyed for its stimulating, coffee-like effects. While it is rich in antioxidants and is being studied for weight, blood sugar, and cholesterol, strong human evidence for most health claims is limited. Drinking very hot mate over many years has been linked to higher risk of certain cancers, so enjoy it warm and in moderation.

Read the full Yerba Mate monograph & all interactions
Medication

About Albuterol

What Is Albuterol Used For?

Brand names: Proventil, Volmax, Ventolin (U.S.), ProAir HFA

Albuterol is used to treat or prevent bronchospasm — sudden tightening of the airways — in adults and children with reversible obstructive airway disease, such as asthma. Most inhaled formulations (HFA inhalers, dry-powder inhalers, and nebulizer solutions) are approved for patients 4 years and older, though some nebulizer solutions are approved for children as young as 2, and the oral syrup covers adults and children 2 and older. Albuterol tablets are approved for adults and children 6 and older.

Albuterol inhaled products are also used to prevent exercise-induced bronchospasm in patients 4 years and older. The inhaled aerosol solution (0.5%) is approved specifically for relief of bronchospasm and acute attacks in patients 12 and older. Not every formulation covers every use — follow the instructions for the specific product you have been prescribed.

See full Albuterol drug information
Keep checking

Other Drugs & Yerba Mate

Browse every other medication we’ve checked against Yerba Mate — both the ones with a known interaction and the ones without. Select any drug for the full detail.

8Major
504Moderate
573Minor
1,744No known interaction
8 Major 504 Moderate 573 Minor 1,744 No interaction
Major

8 interactions

Moderate

504 interactions

Showing 60 of 504 moderate interactions — see all 504 on the Yerba Mate page.

Minor

573 interactions

Showing 60 of 573 minor interactions — see all 573 on the Yerba Mate page.

No interaction 1,744 drugs checked — show the list

We also checked Yerba Mate against these medications and found no known interaction in our sources. Open any page to confirm.

Showing the 60 most looked-up of 1,744 medications checked with no known interaction — see the full Yerba Mate list.

See the full Yerba Mate interactions page
See every supplement checked against Albuterol, ranked by severity
Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Interaction details are evidence-graded and sourced from the Natural Medicines database. The medication overview comes from MedlinePlus.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

Keep exploring
Yerba Mate monograph › Uses, safety, and every drug interaction in one place Albuterol supplement interactions › Every supplement checked against Albuterol, ranked by severity Albuterol drug information › The full plain-English guide to this medication Supplement interaction checker › Check any supplement or product against your medications Browse medications A–Z › Every drug we've checked against herbs & supplements Ask a pharmacist › Free, personal answer from our licensed team
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Taking Yerba Mate and Albuterol Together: Common Questions

Can you take Yerba Mate with Albuterol?
There is a moderate interaction, so it may be acceptable with monitoring or timing changes — but check with your pharmacist first. Read the full details on this page and confirm with your pharmacist before combining them.
How serious is the Yerba Mate and Albuterol interaction?
We rate it Moderate. This combination may require monitoring, a dose adjustment, or separating the times you take each one. Consult your pharmacist before using them together.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Still Have a Question About Albuterol and Yerba Mate?

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This information is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always check with your pharmacist or doctor before starting, stopping, or combining supplements and medications.