Drug interactions
Lithium + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Lithium and Theophylline: moderate interaction.
Last updated Sources: US FDA label
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
Theophylline can increase renal lithium excretion and lower serum lithium concentrations. This may reduce mood-stabilising control, particularly in patients with a narrow therapeutic margin.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium 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.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Xanthines increase glomerular filtration and renal lithium clearance.
What to do
Monitor serum lithium after starting or stopping theophylline and adjust the lithium dose as needed. Watch for loss of mood control and for lithium toxicity if theophylline is withdrawn.
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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References
- Theophylline (Anhydrous) - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
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 Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Lithium 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. Theophylline can increase renal lithium excretion and lower serum lithium concentrations. This may reduce mood-stabilising control, particularly in patients with a narrow therapeutic margin.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium 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 lithium after starting or stopping theophylline and adjust the lithium dose as needed. Watch for loss of mood control and for lithium toxicity if theophylline is withdrawn.
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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