Drug interactions
Dexamethasone-tobramycin + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Dexamethasone-tobramycin 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
Dexamethasone may modestly alter theophylline clearance, and corticosteroids can cause hypokalemia that adds to theophylline arrhythmia risk. Theophylline's narrow therapeutic index makes changes in its levels clinically relevant.
What this interaction means in plain words
Dexamethasone-tobramycin 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.
Dexamethasone-tobramycin belongs to Anti Bacterial; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Dexamethasone may induce theophylline metabolism, and additive hypokalemia increases cardiac risk.
What to do
Monitor serum theophylline concentrations and potassium, adjusting the theophylline dose accordingly.
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 Dexamethasone-tobramycin
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 Dexamethasone-tobramycin with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Dexamethasone-tobramycin 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. Dexamethasone may modestly alter theophylline clearance, and corticosteroids can cause hypokalemia that adds to theophylline arrhythmia risk. Theophylline's narrow therapeutic index makes changes in its levels clinically relevant.
How serious is the interaction between Dexamethasone-tobramycin 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 theophylline concentrations and potassium, adjusting the theophylline dose accordingly.
What other medicines interact with Dexamethasone-tobramycin?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Dexamethasone-tobramycin with, for example, Capreomycin, Carboplatin, Ciprofloxacin. The full list is on the Dexamethasone-tobramycin page.
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