Drug interactions
Riociguat + Theophylline
Severity: Contraindicated
Riociguat and Theophylline: contraindicated 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
Riociguat is contraindicated with PDE inhibitors including nonspecific ones such as theophylline and dipyridamole. Combining them can cause additive vasodilation with symptomatic hypotension through increased cGMP signalling.
What this interaction means in plain words
Riociguat and Theophylline are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two.
Riociguat belongs to Cardiovascular; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Additive increases in cGMP: riociguat stimulates soluble guanylate cyclase while theophylline inhibits phosphodiesterases.
What to do
Do not use together. Choose an alternative bronchodilator, or if theophylline is essential discuss options with the specialist and avoid riociguat.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Is there an alternative to one of these two medicines for me?
- If both are essential, who is monitoring me and how often?
- Which symptoms mean I should stop and seek help straight away?
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References
- Adempas - FDA drug label (DailyMed) — openFDA / DailyMed
Other interactions of Theophylline
Other interactions of Riociguat
- Avanafil + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Dipyridamole + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Isosorbide dinitrate + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Isosorbide mononitrate + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Nitroglycerin + Riociguat Contraindicated
- Riociguat + Sildenafil Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Riociguat with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as contraindicated. Riociguat and Theophylline are not normally used together. Taking them at the same time is expected to cause harm or make one of them unsafe, so a different medicine is usually chosen for one of the two. Riociguat is contraindicated with PDE inhibitors including nonspecific ones such as theophylline and dipyridamole. Combining them can cause additive vasodilation with symptomatic hypotension through increased cGMP signalling.
How serious is the interaction between Riociguat and Theophylline?
MediHelp rates it contraindicated, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Do not use together. Choose an alternative bronchodilator, or if theophylline is essential discuss options with the specialist and avoid riociguat.
What other medicines interact with Theophylline?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Theophylline with, for example, Adenosine, Apalutamide, Bupropion. The full list is on the Theophylline page.
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