Drug interactions
Methylprednisolone + Theophylline
Severity: Minor
Methylprednisolone and Theophylline: minor 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
Corticosteroids have inconsistent effects on theophylline levels, and no reliable pharmacokinetic change is established. High-dose steroids may add to hypokalemia associated with theophylline.
What this interaction means in plain words
Methylprednisolone and Theophylline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised.
Methylprednisolone belongs to Endocrine; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Inconsistent effect on theophylline metabolism; additive hypokalemia.
What to do
Monitor serum potassium and theophylline concentrations during high-dose or prolonged methylprednisolone treatment.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there anything I should notice while taking both?
- Do I need to tell my doctor at the next visit?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Methylprednisolone and Theophylline, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
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 Methylprednisolone
- Bcg vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps and rubella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles mumps rubella and varicella vaccine live + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Measles vaccine + Methylprednisolone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Mifepristone Contraindicated
- Methylprednisolone + Rubella vaccine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Methylprednisolone with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as minor. Methylprednisolone and Theophylline have a small, usually unimportant interaction. Most people can take both; the pharmacist may still mention it so that any unexpected effect is recognised. Corticosteroids have inconsistent effects on theophylline levels, and no reliable pharmacokinetic change is established. High-dose steroids may add to hypokalemia associated with theophylline.
How serious is the interaction between Methylprednisolone and Theophylline?
MediHelp rates it minor, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor serum potassium and theophylline concentrations during high-dose or prolonged methylprednisolone treatment.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
