Drug interactions
Secobarbital + Theophylline
Severity: Moderate
Secobarbital 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
Barbiturates can lower theophylline concentrations and reduce its bronchodilator effect. Loss of control of asthma or COPD symptoms may occur.
What this interaction means in plain words
Secobarbital 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.
Secobarbital belongs to Central Nervous System; Theophylline belongs to Respiratory.
Why it happens
Barbiturates induce hepatic cytochrome P450 enzymes, including CYP1A2, increasing theophylline clearance.
What to do
Monitor serum theophylline levels and adjust dose when the barbiturate is started or stopped. Watch for toxicity after barbiturate discontinuation.
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
Other interactions of Secobarbital
- Calcium / magnesium / potassium / sodium oxybates + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Doravirine + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elbasvir / grazoprevir + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Elvitegravir / cobicistat / emtricitabine / tenofovir df + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Isavuconazonium + Secobarbital Contraindicated
- Lonafarnib + Secobarbital Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Secobarbital with Theophylline?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Secobarbital 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. Barbiturates can lower theophylline concentrations and reduce its bronchodilator effect. Loss of control of asthma or COPD symptoms may occur.
How serious is the interaction between Secobarbital 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 theophylline levels and adjust dose when the barbiturate is started or stopped. Watch for toxicity after barbiturate discontinuation.
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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