Theophylline
Comprehensive clinical interaction and dietary monograph for Theophylline (Theophylline).
Kitchen Food, Drink & Dietary Conflicts
Biochemical interactions with common foods, beverages & cooking ingredientsDrinking or eating foods high in caffeine, like coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate, may increase the side effects caused by theophylline. Avoid large amounts of these substances while you are taking theophylline.
Green Tea, Black Tea & Matcha (Tannins & OATP Inhibitors)
Tannins form insoluble macromolecular iron-tannate precipitates, dropping non-heme iron absorption by up to 80%. Catechins additionally inhibit intestinal OATP uptake transporters, drastically reducing bioavailability of beta-blockers (atenolol) and allergy medications (fexofenadine).
Coffee & High-Caffeine Beverages (Espresso, Energy Drinks)
Ciprofloxacin, fluvoxamine, and oral contraceptives inhibit CYP1A2, reducing caffeine clearance by 30-80% and precipitating palpitations, panic, and severe tremors. Caffeine also accelerates gastric motility, impairing bisphosphonate and thyroid absorption.
Alcoholic Beverages (Beer, Wine, Spirits)
Multiplies respiratory depression and profound sedation with opioids and sedatives; blocks hepatic lactate uptake with metformin (lactic acidosis); triggers acute disulfiram-like vomiting and tachycardia with metronidazole; and accelerates dose-dumping in extended-release capsules.
Prescription & OTC Drug Interactions (DDI)
Documented pharmacological conflicts & contraindicated co-prescriptionsDietary Supplements, Herbs & Minerals (DNI)
Interactions with over-the-counter vitamins, minerals, and herbal preparationsChronotherapy & Meal Administration Protocols
Optimal absorption, meal-timing rules & GI tolerability protocolsTake this medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
Rationale: Food constituents interfere with gastrointestinal absorption or gastric emptying.
Frequently Researched Drug-Substance Combinations
Explore pairwise interaction dossiers and laboratory safety analysesTaking Theophylline alongside daily coffee, supplements, or other medications?
Add all your daily medications, foods (Dairy, Spinach, Coffee, Grapefruit), and botanicals (Ashwagandha, Curcumin, Melatonin) into the SafeStack interactive engine to run full multi-way synergy collision analysis in real time.
Data on this clinical monograph is compiled from the U.S. National Library of Medicine (MedlinePlus), openFDA Structured Product Labeling (SPL Section 7 Drug Interactions), the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (ODS), and Krause and Mahan's Food & Nutrition Care Process.