Theophylline/Aminophylline

Also indexed as: Phyllocontin®, Slo-Bid®, Slo-Phyllin®, Theo-24®, Theo-Bid®, Theocron®, Theo-Dur®, Theolair®, Truphylline®, Uni-Dur®, Uniphyl®

Combination drug: Primatene® Dual Action

Theophylline and aminophylline are bronchodilator drugs (i.e., drugs that open the lung passages) used to treat people with asthma. Aminophylline is a modified form of theophylline. Theophylline and aminophylline are used systemically (carried in the blood stream through the body) and have side effects throughout the body. Other drugs, which are administered by inhalation, are more commonly used to treat asthma, because they go directly to the lungs.

Safetychecker Summary
(for details about the summarized interactions, read the full article)

Beneficial May be Beneficial: Depletion or interference—The medication may deplete or interfere with the absorption or function of the nutrient. Taking these nutrients may help replenish them.

Magnesium

Potassium

Vitamin B6
Avoid Avoid: Reduced drug absorption/bioavailability—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication since the supplement may decrease the absorption and/or activity of the medication in the body.

St. John’s wort*

Tannin-containing herbs such as green tea, black tea, uva ursi, black walnut, red raspberry, oak, and witch hazel
Avoid Avoid: Adverse interaction—Avoid these supplements when taking this medication because taking them together may cause undesirable or dangerous results.

Caffeine

Pepper*
Side effect reduction/prevention

None known
Supportive interaction

None known

An asterisk (*) next to an item in the summary indicates that the interaction is supported only by weak, fragmentary, and/or contradictory scientific evidence.

Interactions with Dietary Supplements

Potassium and Magnesium
Preliminary evidence indicates that theophylline can promote potassium and magnesium deficiency.1 2 Some doctors have noted a tendency for persons on theophylline to become deficient in these minerals. Therefore, supplementing with these minerals may be necessary during theophylline therapy. Consult with a doctor to make this determination.

Vitamin B6
Theophyline has been associated with depressed serum vitamin B6 levels in children with asthma3 and adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.4 In a short-term study of healthy adults, theophylline reduced serum vitamin B6 levels and supplementation with vitamin B6 (10 mg per day) normalized vitamin B6 levels.5 Some doctors believe that it makes sense for people taking this drug to accompany it with 10 mg of vitamin B6 per day.

Interactions with Herbs

Pepper (Piper nigrum, Piper longum)
Piperine is a chemical found in black peppers. A human study found that single doses of piperine could increase blood levels of theophylline.6 Hypothetically, such an elevation could lead to increased theophylline side effects or dose reductions without loss of drug efficacy. However, further study is required before such conclusions are made. People should not change the amount of theophylline taken without consulting their physician.

Tannin-containing herbs
Herbs high in tannins can impair the absorption of theophylline.7 High-tannin herbs include green tea, black tea, uva ursi (Arctostaphylos uva-ursi), black walnut (Juglans nigra), red raspberry (Rubus idaeus), oak (Quercus spp.), and witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana).

St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum)
One case study of a 42-year old asthmatic woman reported that taking 300 mg per day of St. John’s wort extract led to a significant decrease in blood levels of theophylline.8 Following discontinuation of St. John’s wort, the patient’s blood levels of theophylline returned to an acceptable therapeutic level. This may have occurred because certain chemicals found in St. John’s wort activate liver enzymes that are involved in the elimination of some drugs.9 10 Until more is known, people taking theophylline should avoid St. John’s wort.

Interactions with Foods and Other Compounds

Food
Low-carbohydrate, high-protein diets, charbroiled beef, and large amounts of cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower) can reduce theophylline activity.11 12 High-carbohydrate, low-protein diets can increase theophylline activity and side effects.13 Sustained-release forms of theophylline should be taken on an empty stomach and should not be crushed or chewed.14 Liquid and non-sustained release theophylline products are best taken on an empty stomach, but they may be taken with food if stomach upset occurs.15 People with questions about theophylline and food should ask their prescribing doctor or pharmacist.

Caffeine
Large amounts of caffeine (a substance that is related to theophylline) may increase the activity and side effects of theophylline.16 Coffee, tea, colas, chocolate, guaraná, and some supplement products contain caffeine. Limiting intake of caffeine-containing beverages and products to small amounts will avoid this interaction.

References:

1. Rayssiguier Y. Hypomagnesemia resulting from adrenaline infusion in ewes: Its relation to lipolysis. Horm Metab Res 1977;9:309–14.

2. Smith SR, Gove I, Kendall MJ. Beta agonists and potassium. Lancet 1985;1:1394.

3. Shimizu T, Maeda S, Arakawa H, et al. Relation between theophylline and circulating vitamin levels in children with asthma. Pharmacology 1996;53:384–9.

4. Martinez de Haas MG, Poels PJ, de Weert CJ, et al. Subnormal vitamin B6 levels in theophylline users. Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd 1997;141:2176–9 [in Dutch].

5. Ubbink JB, Delport R, Becker PJ, Bissbort S. Evidence of a theophylline-induced vitamin B6 deficiency caused by noncompetitive inhibition of pyridoxal kinase. J Lab Clin Med 1989;113:15–22.

6. Bano G, Raina RK, Zutshi U, et al. Effect of piperine on bioavailability and pharmacokinetics of propranolol and theophylline in healthy volunteers. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1991;41:615–7.

7. Brinker F. Interactions of pharmaceutical and botanical medicines. J Naturopathic Med 1997;7(2):14–20.

8. Nebel A, Schneider BJ, Baker RK, Kroll DJ. Potential metabolic interaction between St. John’s wort and theophylline [letter]. Ann Pharmacother 1999;33:502.

9. Nebel A, Schneider BJ, Baker RK, Kroll DJ. Potential metabolic interaction between St. John’s wort and theophylline [letter]. Ann Pharmacother 1999;33:502.

10. Mai I, Schmider J, et al. Unpublished results, May, 1999. Reported in: Johne A, Brockmöller, Bauer S, et al. Pharmacokinetic interaction of digoxin with an herbal extract from St. John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum). Clin Pharmacol Ther 1999;66:338–45.

11. Threlkeld DS, ed. Respiratory Drugs, Bronchodilators, Xanthine Derivatives. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1991, 178–9a.

12. Holt GA. Food & Drug Interactions. Chicago: Precept Press, 1998, 260.

13. Threlkeld DS, ed. Respiratory Drugs, Bronchodilators, Xanthine Derivatives. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1991, 178–9a.

14. Threlkeld DS, ed. Respiratory Drugs, Bronchodilators, Xanthine Derivatives. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1991, 178–9a.

15. Threlkeld DS, ed. Respiratory Drugs, Bronchodilators, Xanthine Derivatives. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1991, 178–9a.

16. Threlkeld DS, ed. Respiratory Drugs, Bronchodilators, Xanthine Derivatives. In Facts and Comparisons Drug Information. St. Louis, MO: Facts and Comparisons, Feb 1991, 178–9a.