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Overview: Theophylline is used to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Common side effects include nausea or vomiting, headache, and trouble sleeping. Many factors can affect the levels of theophylline in your body, including your dose, how you take the medicine, and other medicines you take. Your health care provider may monitor your theophylline levels. Make sure to keep all appointments for blood work while you are taking this medicine. 

Uses

What is theophylline used for?

Theophylline is commonly used for the following types of breathing problems.

Theophylline may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does theophylline work (mechanism of action)?

People with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) have ongoing problems with airflow in the lungs. Theophylline relaxes the muscles around the airways, which helps them open up and makes it easier to breathe.

How is theophylline supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Elixophyllin
  • Theo-24
  • Theo-Dur
  • Theochron
  • Uniphyl

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg extended-release oral capsules
  • 100 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, 450 mg, 600 mg extended-release oral tablets
  • 80 mg/15 mL oral solution

How should I store theophylline?

Theophylline should be stored at room temperature between 68 F to 77 F (20 C to 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F to 86 F (15 C to 30 C) for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place in a tightly closed container.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of theophylline?

The most common side effects of theophylline are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Headache
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Diarrhea
  • Irritability
  • Restlessness
  • Muscle tremors
  • Increased amount of urine (pee)

There may be other side effects of theophylline that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088. In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of theophylline?

While less common, the most serious side effects of theophylline are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Theophylline may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking theophylline and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching, skin rash, or pale red bumps on the skin called hives
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Seizures. Some people who have taken theophylline have reported having seizures. There are many types of seizures and some of them are not easy to recognize. Stop taking theophylline and call your health care provider if you have any of the following signs that a seizure is happening or could happen.

  • Muscle twitching, jerking, spasms, tremors, or other uncontrolled movements
  • Stiffening of your arms and legs
  • Feeling anxious, nervous, confused, or a sense of dread
  • Feeling dizzy or lightheaded
  • Falling or losing consciousness

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use theophylline?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take theophylline.

  • Elixophyllin
  • Theo-24
  • Theochron
  • Theophylline
  • Uniphyl
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific theophylline products they stock.

What should I know about theophylline before using it?

Do not take theophylline unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share theophylline with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep theophylline out of the reach of children.

Theophylline is a medicine that is taken daily to help prevent symptoms. Do not use it when a quick response to breathing problems is needed. Certain inhaled medicines, sometimes called quick-relief (or rescue) inhalers, should be used to treat sudden breathing symptoms. Get medical help right away if your breathing does not get better after using your rescue inhaler.

Many factors can affect the levels of theophylline in your body, including your dose, how you take the medicine, and other medicines you take. Your health care provider may monitor your theophylline levels. Make sure to keep all appointments for blood tests while you are taking this medicine. Tell your health care provider if you notice any new symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, headache, trouble sleeping, or a fast heartbeat. You should also tell your health care provider about any other changes in your health, the medicines you take, or your daily habits and routines, such as changes in diet.

Children who are under 1 year old and adults who are over 60 years old can be at greater risk for some side effects from theophylline. Talk to your health care provider about these risks if you or your child are in one of these age groups.

Do not crush or chew theophylline extended-release oral tablets or capsules. Do not split the tablets unless your pharmacist or other health care provider tells you it’s OK.  

Theophylline extended-release tablets or capsules should be taken at the same time each day. If you take the medicine once a day, it should be taken in the morning or evening (not at night). If you take the medicine twice a day, each dose should be taken about 12 hours apart. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider about the best way for you to take your medicine.

If you are taking theophylline extended-release tablets, you might see remnants of the tablet in your stool (poop). This is normal.

If you are prescribed theophylline oral liquid, use an accurate measuring device to measure your dose. A household spoon is not an accurate measuring device and may cause you to take the wrong dose. Ask your pharmacist to recommend an appropriate measuring device.

What should I tell my health care provider before using theophylline?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them determine if theophylline is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Heart Problems. People with certain heart problems may have a higher risk of side effects from theophylline. Let your health care provider know if you have a history of any of the following heart problems.

Other Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

Tobacco or Cannabis Use. Smoking tobacco or cannabis (marijuana) can affect the levels of theophylline in your body. Quitting smoking can also affect the levels of theophylline in your body. Before you start taking theophylline, tell your health care provider if you smoke tobacco or cannabis. You should also tell your health care provider if you plan to quit smoking.

Other Medicines and Supplements. Theophylline may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking theophylline, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how theophylline could affect pregnancy or harm an unborn baby. Pregnancy may change the way your body responds to theophylline. Tell your health care provider if you are or plan to become pregnant. Your health care provider will advise you if you should take theophylline while you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.

Breastfeeding. Theophylline passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. Your health care provider will advise you if you should take theophylline while breastfeeding.

Interactions

Does theophylline interact with foods or drinks?

There are no known interactions between theophylline oral liquid and foods or drinks.

Taking theophylline extended-release oral tablets or capsules with food can affect the levels of theophylline in your body. It is important to take each dose of theophylline extended-release tablets or capsules the same way. If you take the medicine with food, then each dose should be taken with food. If you take the medicine on an empty stomach, then each dose should be taken on an empty stomach. Ask your pharmacist or other health care provider about the best way to take the theophylline product you are prescribed.

Alcohol can affect the levels of theophylline in your body. It is best to avoid or limit alcohol while you are taking theophylline.

Does theophylline interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking theophylline.

  • A benzodiazepine, such as clonazepam (Klonopin), diazepam (Valium and others), or lorazepam (Ativan and others), which is a medicine used for anxiety, muscle spasms, or seizures
  • A beta-blocker, such as metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL, and others) or propranolol (Inderal LA, Innopran XL), which is a medicine that may be used for certain heart conditions or to lower blood pressure
  • A macrolide antibiotic, such as clarithromycin or erythromycin (Ery-Tab and others), which is a medicine used for bacterial infections
  • Carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol, and others), which is a medicine commonly used to treat seizures or nerve pain
  • Cimetidine (Tagamet HB), which is a medicine used for heartburn
  • Disulfiram, which is a medicine commonly used to help treat alcohol use disorder
  • Estrogen, which is found in certain birth control pills, patches, creams, rings, and vaginal suppositories
  • Lithium, which is a medicine for certain mental health conditions
  • Mexiletine, which is a medicine used for an abnormal heart rate or rhythm (arrhythmia)
  • Any product that contains caffeine, which is often found in medicines for reducing water weight (diuretics), staying awake, headaches, and hangover relief
  • Rifampin (Rifadin), which is a medicine commonly used to treat an infection called tuberculosis
  • St. John’s wort, which is a supplement that may be used for depression

Many other medicines may alter the blood levels of theophylline. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with theophylline. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much theophylline?

If you or someone else has used too much theophylline, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of theophylline?

If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose at the regular time. Do not take double or extra doses.