Drug interactions
Charcoal + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Charcoal 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
Activated charcoal binds theophylline in the gut and increases its elimination, including from the circulation with repeated doses. This reduces bronchodilator effect at therapeutic doses but is valuable in theophylline overdose.
What this interaction means in plain words
Charcoal 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.
Charcoal belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Charcoal adsorbs theophylline in the gut and enhances its elimination by gastrointestinal dialysis.
What to do
Avoid concurrent charcoal during therapeutic theophylline use or separate doses by several hours. In overdose, give repeated-dose charcoal and monitor serum theophylline levels.
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?
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Other interactions of Charcoal
- Charcoal + Citalopram Moderate
- Charcoal + Digoxin Moderate
- Charcoal + Leflunomide Moderate
- Charcoal + Methotrexate Moderate
- Charcoal + Tiratricol Moderate
- Acarbose + Charcoal Minor
Other interactions of Theophylline
- Riociguat + Theophylline Contraindicated
- Adenosine + Theophylline Major
- Apalutamide + Theophylline Major
- Bupropion + Theophylline Major
- Carvedilol + Theophylline Major
- Cimetidine + Theophylline Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Charcoal with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Charcoal 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. Activated charcoal binds theophylline in the gut and increases its elimination, including from the circulation with repeated doses. This reduces bronchodilator effect at therapeutic doses but is valuable in theophylline overdose.
How serious is the interaction between Charcoal 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: Avoid concurrent charcoal during therapeutic theophylline use or separate doses by several hours. In overdose, give repeated-dose charcoal and monitor serum theophylline levels.
What other medicines interact with Charcoal?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Charcoal with, for example, Citalopram, Digoxin, Leflunomide. The full list is on the Charcoal page.
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