Drug interactions
Ephedrine + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Ephedrine 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
Combining ephedrine with theophylline increases stimulant effects, causing nervousness, insomnia, nausea and possibly tachycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Ephedrine 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.
Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic CNS and cardiovascular stimulation from sympathomimetic and xanthine actions.
What to do
Monitor for tremor, insomnia, palpitations and GI upset, and reduce the dose of either drug if symptoms occur.
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 Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
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 Ephedrine with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Ephedrine 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. Combining ephedrine with theophylline increases stimulant effects, causing nervousness, insomnia, nausea and possibly tachycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Ephedrine 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 for tremor, insomnia, palpitations and GI upset, and reduce the dose of either drug if symptoms occur.
What other medicines interact with Ephedrine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Ephedrine with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Procarbazine. The full list is on the Ephedrine page.
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