Drug interactions
Pralidoxime chloride + Theophylline
Severity: Major
Pralidoxime chloride and Theophylline: major 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
Theophylline is advised against in organophosphate poisoning treated with pralidoxime, as it can add to excitation, tachycardia and arrhythmia risk in an already unstable patient.
What this interaction means in plain words
Pralidoxime chloride and Theophylline can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Pralidoxime chloride belongs to Miscellaneous; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic: theophylline's CNS and cardiac stimulation may compound toxicity in organophosphate poisoning; the mechanism is not well established.
What to do
Avoid theophylline and use atropine and standard antidotal therapy for bronchospasm; monitor cardiac rhythm if it must be used.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Pralidoxime chloride 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.
Other interactions of Pralidoxime chloride
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 Pralidoxime chloride with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Pralidoxime chloride and Theophylline can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Theophylline is advised against in organophosphate poisoning treated with pralidoxime, as it can add to excitation, tachycardia and arrhythmia risk in an already unstable patient.
How serious is the interaction between Pralidoxime chloride and Theophylline?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid theophylline and use atropine and standard antidotal therapy for bronchospasm; monitor cardiac rhythm if it must be used.
What other medicines interact with Pralidoxime chloride?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Pralidoxime chloride with, for example, Morphine, Succinylcholine, Atropine. The full list is on the Pralidoxime chloride 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.
