Drug interactions
Indacaterol + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Indacaterol 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 agents can lower serum potassium, and together the effect may be additive. Hypokalemia can predispose to arrhythmias, particularly in hypoxic COPD patients, and both drugs also cause tachycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Indacaterol 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.
Indacaterol belongs to Respiratory; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive intracellular potassium shift from beta-2 stimulation and methylxanthine action.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and heart rate, and check theophylline levels as appropriate. Replace potassium if low.
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 Indacaterol
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 Indacaterol with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Indacaterol 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 agents can lower serum potassium, and together the effect may be additive. Hypokalemia can predispose to arrhythmias, particularly in hypoxic COPD patients, and both drugs also cause tachycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Indacaterol 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 and heart rate, and check theophylline levels as appropriate. Replace potassium if low.
What other medicines interact with Indacaterol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Indacaterol with, for example, Adagrasib, Amiodarone, Amisulpride. The full list is on the Indacaterol page.
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