Drug interactions theophylline

Q-emer KF, Secor J, Spe KV. Effect of route of administraticn onthe cimetidine-theophylline drug interaction. J Clin Pharmacol (1989) 29,451-6. 

Use of zileuton is uncommon due to the need for dosing four times a day, potential drug interactions, and the potential for hepatotoxicity with the resulting need for frequent monitoring of liver enzymes. In patients started on zileuton, serum alanine aminotransferase concentrations should be monitored before treatment begins, monthly for the first 3 months, every 2 to 3 months for the remainder of the first year, and then periodically thereafter for as long as the patient continues to receive the medication. Zileuton also inhibits the cytochrome P-450 (CYP) mixed function enzyme system and has been shown to decrease the clearance of theophylline, R-warfarin and propranolol.34... 

Theophylline is also considered an alternative to inhaled corticosteroids for the treatment of mild persistent asthma however, limited efficacy compared to inhaled corticosteroids, a narrow therapeutic index with life-threatening toxicity, and multiple clinically important drug interactions have severely limited its use. Theophylline causes bronchodilation through inhibition of phosphodiesterase and antagonism of adenosine and appears to have anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties as well.36... 

Theophylline is a non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor that increases intracellular cAMP within airway smooth muscle resulting in bronchodilation. It has a modest bronchodila-tor effect in patients with COPD, and its use is limited due to a narrow therapeutic index, multiple drug interactions, and adverse effects. Theophylline should be reserved for patients who cannot use inhaled medications or who remain symptomatic despite appropriate use of inhaled bronchodilators. 

While generally not of major concern, omeprazole may inhibit the metabolism of warfarin, diazepam, and phenytoin lansoprazole may decrease theophylline concentrations. Drug interactions with omeprazole are of particular concern in patients who are considered slow metabolizers, as are approximately 3% of the Caucasian population. Unfortunately, it is unclear which patients have the polymorphic gene variation that makes them slow metabolizers.17 The metabolism of esomeprazole may also be altered in patients with this polymorphic gene variation. Patients on potentially interacting drugs should be monitored for development of drug-related problems. 

Only a small number of drug interactions have been reported with donepezil. In vitro studies show a low rate of binding of donepezil to cytochrome P-450 (CYP)3A4 or 2D6. Whether or not donepezil has the potential for enzyme induction is not known. No interactions with theophylline, cimeti-dine, warfarin, digoxin, or ketoconazole have been documented. In vitro studies show that inhibitors of CYP3A4 and 2D6 have the potential to inhibit the metabolism of donepezil. The clinical relevance of this is unknown. However, monitoring for possible increased peripheral side effects is advised... 

There are several important drug-drug interactions with allopurinol. The effects of both theophylline and warfarin may be potentiated by allopurinol. Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine are purines whose metabolism is inhibited... 

Although many patients believe that dietary supplements will not interact with medications, recent literature suggests otherwise. Recently, many St. John s wort-drug interactions have been reported in the literature. Cases of patients developing symptoms of serotonin syndrome have been reported with St. John s wort alone and in concomitant therapy with other antidepressants such as monoamine oxidase inhibitors, serotonin reuptake inhibitors, and venlafaxine. St. John s wort may exacerbate the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, alcohol, narcotics, and other sedatives. St. John s wort may decrease the levels of protease inhibitors, cyclosporine, digoxin, and theophylline. 

Methylxanthines are no longer considered first-line therapy for COPD. Inhaled bronchodilator therapy is preferred over theophylline for COPD because of theophylline s risk for drug interactions and the interpatient variability in dosage requirements. Theophylline may be considered in patients who are intolerant or unable to use an inhaled bronchodilator. A methylxanthine may also be added to the regimen of patients who have not achieved an optimal clinical response to an inhaled anticholinergic and [i2-agonist. 

Drugs that may affect amiodarone include hydantoins, cholestyramine, fluoroquinolones, rifamycins, ritonavir, and cimetidine. Drugs that may be affected by amiodarone include anticoagulants, beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, cyclosporine, dextromethorphan, digoxin, disopyramide, fentanyl, flecainide, hydantoins, lidocaine, methotrexate, procainamide, quinidine, and theophylline. Drug/Lab test interactions Amiodarone alters the results of thyroid function tests, causing an increase in serum T4 and serum reverse T3 levels and a decline in... 

Azithromycin Drugs that may interact with azithromycin include antacids, cyclosporine, HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, pimozide, tacrolimus, theophyllines, and warfarin. Also consider all drug interactions with erythromycin. 

The importance of these enzymes for drug interactions is that enzyme inducers and inhibitors may preferentially affect certain isoforms and consequently may only affect the metabolism of selected drugs. For example, ketoconazole has the potential to inhibit the metabolism of drugs metabolised to a great extent by the sub-family 3A (e.g. midazolam) but not of those metabolised by sub-family 1A (e.g. theophylline), 2C (e.g. diazepam), or 2D (e.g. metaprolol). In contrast, although fluconazole is a weaker inhibitor of the sub-family 3A than ketoconazole, it also inhibits the sub-family 2C, and so the interactions of fluconazole differ from those of ketoconazole. 

As it inhibits microsomal cytochrome P450 cimetidine has a high potential for drug interactions not shared by the other H2 receptor antagonists. The oxidative metabolism of agents such as anticoagulants, most antiepileptics, some beta-blockers, warfarin, theophylline and many hypnotics, neuroleptics and antidepressants may be reduced, leading to increased effects. 

This xanthine derivative is an only a modest bron-chodilator in COPD, and because of its narrow therapeutic range, frequently seen adverse effect and drug interactions, it is becoming less frequently used, some patients experience side effects even within the therapeutic range. The non-bronchodilator effects of theophylline such as systemic and pulmonary vascular dilatation, central nervous system stimulation, improvement of the strength and effectiveness of respiratory muscles and possibly anti-inflammatory effects are of disputed clinical significance at usual therapeutic levels. 

All quinolones interact with multivalent cations, forming chelation complexes resulting in reduced absorption. Major offenders are antacids vitamins containing calcium and iron can also be problematic. All fluoroquinolones interact with warfarin, didanosine (ddi), and phenytoin, resulting in decreased absorption or metabolism. Ciprofloxacin and other second-generation drugs interact with theophylline by decreasing its clearance, which leads to theophylline toxicity. 

Geriatric Considerations - Summary Increased risk of side effects in patients with CVD and hepatic dysfunction. Theophylline has a narrow therapeutic index and is associated with numerous drug interactions. Target serum concentrations are 5-20 mg/L, with adverse effects increasing between 15-20 mg/L. Hepatic metabolism and renal excretion declines with age and the half-life of theophylline increases by 3 to 9 hours in older adults. Smoking induces theophylline metabolism therefore, if a pa-tienf sfops smoking, empiric dosage reduction may be indicated and follow serum concenfrafions closely. 

Drug Interactions According to the product label, interactions between Intron A and other drugs have not been fully evaluated. Caution should be exercised when administering Intron A therapy in combination with other potentially myelo-suppressive agents such as zidovudine. Concomitant use of alfa interferon and theophylline decreases theophylline clearance, resulting in a 100% increase in serum theophylline levels. 

Crowley JJ, Cusack BJ, Jue SG, et al. Aging and drug interactions II. Effect of phenytoin and smoking on the oxidation of theophylline and cortisol in healthy men. J Phannacol Exp Ther... 

Jonkman JH, Upton RA. Pharmacokinetic drug interaction with theophylline. Clin Pharmacokinei 1985 9 309-334. 

Katial RK, Stelzle RC, Bonner MW, Marino M, Cantilena LR, Smith LJ. A drug interaction between zafirlukast and theophylline. Arch Intern Med 1998 158(15) 1713-1715. 

Contraindications to interferon alfa therapy include hepatic decompensation, autoimmune disease, and history of cardiac arrhythmia. Caution is advised in the setting of psychiatric disease, epilepsy, thyroid disease, ischemic cardiac disease, severe renal insufficiency, and cytopenia. Alfa interferons are abortifacient in primates and should not be administered in pregnancy. Potential drug-drug interactions include increased theophylline levels and increased methadone levels. Co-administration with didanosine is not recommended because of a risk of hepatic failure, and co-administration with zidovudine may exacerbate cytopenias. 

Drug Interactions Increased prothrombin time after warfarin administration Phenytoin Cyclosporine Tolbutamide Tacrolimus Glyburide Glipizide Rifampin Cisapride Terfenadine Astemizole Theophylline ... 

Drug Interactions Other antihypertensive agents Carbamazepine (vasodilators, ACE inhibitors, Rifampin diuretics, and beta-blockers) Phenobarbital Digoxin Cyclosporine Disopyramide Theophylline Flecainide Inhalation anesthetics Quinidine Neuromuscular blocking agents Cimetidine Lithium ... 

An example of a potentially important drug interaction is that which occurs when fluvoxamine is given along with theophyllin (Figure 6—13). In that case, the theo-phyllin dose must be lowered or else the blood levels of theophyllin will rise and possibly cause side effects, even toxic side effects such as seizures. The same may occur with caffeine. Fluvoxamine also affects the metabolism of atypical anti-psychotics. 

Hatorp V, Thomsen MS. Drug interaction studies with repaglinide repaglinide on digoxin or theophylline pharmacokinetics and cimetidine on repaglinide pharmacokinetics. J Clin Pharmacol 2000 40(2) 184-92. 

In an application of this model for assessing factors that cause large interindividual variations in the clearance of theophylline (37), the authors clearly recognized its limitations and this requirement that the conclusions be tested by a prospective controlled experiment "The factors identified as important in theophylline body clearances are associations found by retrospective statistical analysis which need not imply a cause-and-effect relationship, especially where a pathophysiological or drug interaction rationale does not exist. Often these factors need further confirmation by prospective examination of cohorts of subjects with the disease or history in question."... 

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