Does Theophylline Interact with Finasteride?
Theophylline and Finasteride have a minor drug interaction according to U.S. FDA drug labeling data. No clinically meaningful interaction identified in testing. Patients taking both medications should consult their healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing the dosage of either drug. This information is based on official FDA drug labeling sourced from OpenFDA and the NIH National Library of Medicine.
- Severity
- Minor
- Theophylline Class
- Methylxanthine
- Finasteride Class
- 5-alpha Reductase Inhibitor
- Management
- Generally manageable
- Data Source
- U.S. FDA via OpenFDA
What To Tell Your Doctor or Pharmacist
If you are taking Theophylline and your doctor is considering prescribing Finasteride (or vice versa), make sure to:
- Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements
- Ask whether the benefits of combining these medications outweigh the risks for your specific situation
- Ask what symptoms to watch for that would indicate the interaction is causing problems
- Never stop or change either medication without first consulting your healthcare provider