Drug interactions
Amiodarone + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Amiodarone and Theophylline: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Amiodarone has been reported to raise serum theophylline concentrations, with cases of theophylline toxicity. Because theophylline has a narrow therapeutic window, elevated levels can cause tachyarrhythmias, nausea and seizures.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiodarone and Theophylline can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Amiodarone belongs to Cardiovascular; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Amiodarone and its metabolite inhibit CYP1A2 and other CYP enzymes, reducing theophylline clearance.
What to do
Check theophylline levels after starting amiodarone and for several weeks afterward, and lower the dose if levels rise or toxicity appears.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Amiodarone and Theophylline, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Theophylline
- Riociguat + Theophylline Contraindicated
- Adenosine + Theophylline Major
- Apalutamide + Theophylline Major
- Bupropion + Theophylline Major
- Carvedilol + Theophylline Major
- Cimetidine + Theophylline Major
Other interactions of Amiodarone
- Amiodarone + Amisulpride Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Eliglustat Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiodarone with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Amiodarone and Theophylline can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Amiodarone has been reported to raise serum theophylline concentrations, with cases of theophylline toxicity. Because theophylline has a narrow therapeutic window, elevated levels can cause tachyarrhythmias, nausea and seizures.
How serious is the interaction between Amiodarone and Theophylline?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Check theophylline levels after starting amiodarone and for several weeks afterward, and lower the dose if levels rise or toxicity appears.
What other medicines interact with Theophylline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Theophylline with, for example, Riociguat, Adenosine, Apalutamide. The full list is on the Theophylline page.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
