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Food and medicine interaction

Coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate and theophylline (Theo-24, Elixophyllin) for asthma or COPD

EstablishedEvidence level: established. Shown in drug labeling or in controlled studies in people.

Last reviewed

What can happen

MedlinePlus warns that foods and drinks high in caffeine may increase theophylline's side effects, such as restlessness, trouble sleeping, upset stomach and a rapid heartbeat.

Why it happens
Caffeine and theophylline are closely related stimulants with overlapping effects, and the body turns some caffeine into theophylline.
At ordinary food amounts
Ordinary amounts can add up: MedlinePlus names everyday sources such as coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate. A big change in your coffee or tea habits is worth mentioning to your prescriber.

What to do

Keep your caffeine intake modest and steady, and tell your prescriber or pharmacist about how much coffee or tea you usually have. Do not change your theophylline dose on your own.

Never stop or change a prescribed medicine without talking to the prescriber.

Common questions

Can I have coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate while taking theophylline?

Keep your caffeine intake modest and steady, and tell your prescriber or pharmacist about how much coffee or tea you usually have. Do not change your theophylline dose on your own. Ordinary amounts can add up: MedlinePlus names everyday sources such as coffee, tea, cocoa and chocolate. A big change in your coffee or tea habits is worth mentioning to your prescriber.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus (U.S. National Library of Medicine). Theophylline: drug information.
  2. Zandvliet AS, et al. Population pharmacokinetics of caffeine and its metabolites theobromine, paraxanthine and theophylline after inhalation in combination with diacetylmorphine. Basic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol. 2005. PMID 15667599.

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