Theophylline

For an informed discussion with your doctor or pharmacist. This information collection is not a clinically validated interaction checker. Missing data do not establish safety. Do not change or stop prescribed medicines on the basis of this information. The findings apply to the specific conditions studied; laboratory and animal studies cannot be directly extrapolated to humans.

Active substance: Theophylline

Examples of brand names: Euphylong [DE]

ATC code: R03DA04

Main use (for orientation): Obstructive respiratory diseases

Documented research summary

Human finding: chronic marijuana smoking was associated with increased theophylline clearance; a smoke mixture is not THC/CBD monotherapy. The opposing inhibition by CBD remains modelled for theophylline, not directly confirmed clinically.

Uncertainties and limitations

Prolonged-release tablet; do not treat the aminophylline salt complex as the same dosage. Do not attribute smoke-induced induction to isolated THC.

Shared enzymes must not be equated with clinical evidence of an interaction; CBD/THC findings cannot be extrapolated to other cannabinoids.

Separately recorded findings

1 separately recorded finding. Each statement applies to its documented study context.

Marijuana smoke (not attributable to an individual cannabinoid) – clinical signals

Finding ID: B0176

Type of result: Observational human pharmacokinetics

Observation: Mean clearance: 52 ml/kg/h in non-smokers, 74 in marijuana or tobacco smokers, 93 in those smoking both.

Mechanism: Increased metabolic clearance with chronic smoking; smoke constituents are a possible cause

Study type: Single-dose comparison; 7 marijuana smokers, 7 smokers of both, 43 controls

Context studied: Historical study from 1978; label confirms the smoking warning.

Clinical interpretation: Smoking context; do not equate with oral CBD or pure THC.

Limitations and uncertainties: Small, non-randomised groups; precise cannabinoid amounts unspecified.

Original sources for this finding: Enhanced biotransformation of theophylline in marihuana and tobacco smokers. [BMED688731]

References and access status

[V2_LABEL_D0340] THEOPHYLLINE (ANHYDROUS) (THEOPHYLLINE ANHYDROUS) TABLET, EXTENDED RELEASE [PROFICIENT RX LP]

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Proficient Rx LP

Year: 2026

Source type: Official US SPL / DailyMed

Source access – 23 October 2026: Source destination was accessible when checked.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

[BMED688731] Enhanced biotransformation of theophylline in marihuana and tobacco smokers.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Jusko WJ, Schentag JJ, Clark JH, Gardner M, Yurchak AM.

Year: 1978

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1002/cpt1978244406

PMID: 688731

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[BMED35115300] Comprehensive Predictions of Cytochrome P450 (P450)-Mediated In Vivo Cannabinoid-Drug Interactions Based on Reversible and Time-Dependent P450 Inhibition in Human Liver Microsomes.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Bansal S, Paine MF, Unadkat JD.

Year: 2022

Source type: Primary publication; abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1124/dmd.121.000734

PMID: 35115300

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

PubMed Central – archived text

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[BMED8389726] Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and theophylline: in vitro interaction with bovine serum albumin.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Ghosh SK, Poddar MK.

Year: 1993

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

PMID: 8389726

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

[BMED8387304] delta-9-Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits the binding of theophylline to mammalian neuronal and non-neuronal membranes.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Ghosh SK, Poddar MK.

Year: 1993

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(93)90316-o

PMID: 8387304

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

[BMED8388853] Effect of theophylline on binding of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol with mammalian neuronal and non-neuronal membranes.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Ghosh SK, Poddar MK.

Year: 1993

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

PMID: 8388853

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

[BMED1333203] Effect of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol and theophylline on hepatic microsomal drug metabolizing enzymes.

Original source / bibliographic reference

Authors: Ghosh SK, Poddar MK.

Year: 1992

Source type: Publication; title and abstract reviewed

DOI: 10.1016/0006-2952(92)90105-r

PMID: 1333203

Source access – 23 October 2026: Automated direct retrieval was restricted; this does not establish that the link is broken.

Bibliographic attribution or source identity cross-checked.

PubMed – bibliographic reference / abstract

DOI – publisher access (access restrictions may apply)

Research as of 23 October 2026. Not all original full texts could be reviewed in full. Source accessibility and the strength of scientific evidence must be assessed separately. An accessible link does not establish medical approval; a bibliographic record with an abstract does not replace the original full text.

Drug search and explanation of the evidence · Guide: cannabinoids and medicines · Author and responsibility