Xanthine Derivatives/Charcoal Interactions

This information is generalized and not intended as specific medical advice. Consult your healthcare professional before taking or discontinuing any drug or commencing any course of treatment.

Medical warning:

Moderate. These medicines may cause some risk when taken together. Contact your healthcare professional (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) for more information.

How the interaction occurs:

Charcoal may decrease the amount of theophylline your body absorbs.

What might happen:

Levels of theophylline in the blood may be decreased, making the theophylline less effective.

What you should do about this interaction:

Make sure that your healthcare professionals (e.g. doctor or pharmacist) know which medicines you are currently taking. These medicines may be given together in the case of an overdose of theophylline. Your doctor may check blood levels for theophylline. The dose of theophylline may be adjusted or given two to three hours before the charcoal to prevent a decreased effect if the charcoal is not being given for a theophylline overdose.Your healthcare professionals may already be aware of this interaction and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

View Reference
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  • 3.Ginoza GW, Strauss AA, Iskra MK, Modanlou HD. Potential treatment of theophylline toxicity by high surface area activated charcoal. J Pediatr 1987 Jul;111(1):140-2.
  • 4.Goldberg MJ, Spector R, Park GD, Johnson GF, Roberts P. The effect of sorbitol and activated charcoal on serum theophylline concentrations after slow-release theophylline. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1987 Jan;41(1):108-11.
  • 5.True RJ, Berman JM, Mahutte CK. Treatment of theophylline toxicity with oral activated charcoal. Crit Care Med 1984 Feb;12(2):113-4.
  • 6.Berlinger WG, Spector R, Goldberg MJ, Johnson GF, Quee CK, Berg MJ. Enhancement of theophylline clearance by oral activated charcoal. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1983 Mar;33(3):351-4.
  • 7.Park GD, Radomski L, Goldberg MJ, Spector R, Johnson GF, Quee CK. Effects of size and frequency of oral doses of charcoal on theophylline clearance. Clin Pharmacol Ther 1983 Nov;34(5):663-6.
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  • 15.Minton NA, Glucksman E, Henry JA. Prevention of drug absorption in simulated theophylline overdose. Hum Exp Toxicol 1995 Feb;14(2):170-4.
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