Drug interactions
Indacaterol inhaled + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Indacaterol inhaled 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 xanthines and beta-2 agonists can lower serum potassium, and together the effect may be additive. Hypokalemia can predispose to arrhythmias, especially in patients with hypoxia or COPD exacerbation.
What this interaction means in plain words
Indacaterol inhaled 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.
Why it happens
Additive pharmacodynamic effect: beta-2 stimulation drives potassium into cells, and theophylline adds to this effect.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and ECG in high-risk patients, such as those with acute exacerbations, heart disease or on diuretics, and correct hypokalemia.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Indacaterol inhaled with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Indacaterol inhaled 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 xanthines and beta-2 agonists can lower serum potassium, and together the effect may be additive. Hypokalemia can predispose to arrhythmias, especially in patients with hypoxia or COPD exacerbation.
How serious is the interaction between Indacaterol inhaled 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 ECG in high-risk patients, such as those with acute exacerbations, heart disease or on diuretics, and correct hypokalemia.
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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