Drug interactions
Deflazacort + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Deflazacort 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
Both theophylline and corticosteroids can lower serum potassium, so combined use may produce hypokalemia. This may increase the risk of arrhythmia, especially when other contributing factors are present.
What this interaction means in plain words
Deflazacort 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.
Deflazacort belongs to Miscellaneous; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive potassium lowering: beta-adrenergic-mediated intracellular shift by theophylline and mineralocorticoid effect of the corticosteroid.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium periodically and replace potassium as needed, particularly with other hypokalemic drugs.
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 Theophylline
- Riociguat + Theophylline Contraindicated
- Adenosine + Theophylline Major
- Apalutamide + Theophylline Major
- Bupropion + Theophylline Major
- Carvedilol + Theophylline Major
- Cimetidine + Theophylline Major
Other interactions of Deflazacort
- Adenovirus types 4 and 7 live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Bcg vaccine live + Deflazacort Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Influenza virus vaccine quadrivalent intranasal Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live Contraindicated
- Deflazacort + Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Deflazacort with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Deflazacort 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. Both theophylline and corticosteroids can lower serum potassium, so combined use may produce hypokalemia. This may increase the risk of arrhythmia, especially when other contributing factors are present.
How serious is the interaction between Deflazacort 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: Monitor serum potassium periodically and replace potassium as needed, particularly with other hypokalemic drugs.
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.
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