Drug interactions
Ceritinib + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Ceritinib 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
Ceritinib is a CYP3A inhibitor, but theophylline is mainly cleared by CYP1A2 with CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 playing smaller roles. A rise in theophylline levels is therefore possible but probably small. Because theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index, any rise could still cause toxicity such as arrhythmia, seizures and vomiting.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ceritinib 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.
Ceritinib belongs to Oncology; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Ceritinib inhibits CYP3A4, which handles a minor part of theophylline metabolism.
What to do
Measure theophylline serum levels after starting or stopping ceritinib and reduce the theophylline dose if levels are elevated or toxicity symptoms appear.
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 Ceritinib 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 7 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 Ceritinib
- Ceritinib + Cisapride Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Eletriptan Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Flibanserin Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Pimozide Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Ceritinib + Tolvaptan Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Ceritinib with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ceritinib 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. Ceritinib is a CYP3A inhibitor, but theophylline is mainly cleared by CYP1A2 with CYP3A4 and CYP2E1 playing smaller roles. A rise in theophylline levels is therefore possible but probably small. Because theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index, any rise could still cause toxicity such as arrhythmia, seizures and vomiting.
How serious is the interaction between Ceritinib 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: Measure theophylline serum levels after starting or stopping ceritinib and reduce the theophylline dose if levels are elevated or toxicity symptoms appear.
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.
