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Theophylline Alternatives Compared

View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Theophylline Remove Theophylline from your drug comparison Advair Diskus Remove Advair Diskus from your drug comparison Symbicort Remove Symbicort from your drug comparison
View side-by-side comparisons of medication uses, ratings, cost, side effects and interactions.
Theophylline Remove Theophylline from your drug comparison Advair Diskus fluticasone / salmeterol Remove Advair Diskus from your drug comparison Symbicort budesonide / formoterol Remove Symbicort from your drug comparison

Prescribed for Asthma - acute, Apnea of Prematurity, Asthma - Maintenance. theophylline may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Prescribed for Asthma - Maintenance, COPD - Maintenance. Advair Diskus may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Symbicort is a combination inhaler that contains budesonide (a corticosteroid) and formoterol (a long-acting bronchodilator). Symbicort should only be used in people with moderate-to-severe asthma... View more

Prescription only

Prescription only

Prescription only

Ratings & Reviews

View all 13 reviews

View all 102 reviews

View all 183 reviews

Drug Class

Side Effects

Commonly reported side effects include: acid-base imbalance.

See the full theophylline side effects document.

See the full Advair Diskus side effects document.

See the full Symbicort side effects document.

Pricing and Coupons

* Prices are without insurance
Quantity 100 tablet, extended release
Dosage 300 mg
Per Unit* $3.10
Cost* $310.21

View all theophylline prices

Quantity 14 powder
Dosage 250 mcg-50 mcg
Per Unit* $11.99
Cost* $167.91

View all Advair Diskus prices and generic prices

Quantity 6 gram(s)
Dosage 160 mcg-4.5 mcg/inh
Per Unit* $45.53
Cost* $273.17

View all Symbicort prices and generic prices

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Get free Discount Card

Generic Availability

Yes (this medicine)

Yes

Yes

Dosage Form(s) Available
  • Intravenous solution
  • Oral elixir
  • Oral solution
  • Oral tablet, extended release
  • Inhalation powder
  • Inhalation aerosol

Brand Names
Elixophyllin, Theo-24 Other fluticasone / salmeterol brands include: Advair HFA, AirDuo Digihaler, AirDuo Respiclick, Wixela Inhub

N/A

Half Life

The half-life of a drug is the time taken for the plasma concentration of a drug to reduce to half its original value.

30 hours

264 hours

7.9 hours

CSA Schedule**

View glossary of terms.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.
N
Not a controlled drug

Is not subject to the Controlled Substances Act.

Pregnancy Category
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.
C
Category C Risk cannot be ruled out

See the full Pregnancy Warnings document.

FDA Alerts

N/A

FDA Alerts (6)

FDA Alerts (3)

Drug Interactions

A total of 268 drugs are known to interact with theophylline:

  • 35 major drug interactions (142 brand and generic names)
  • 188 moderate drug interactions (985 brand and generic names)
  • 45 minor drug interactions (184 brand and generic names)

A total of 419 drugs are known to interact with Advair Diskus:

  • 48 major drug interactions (128 brand and generic names)
  • 354 moderate drug interactions (1396 brand and generic names)
  • 17 minor drug interactions (183 brand and generic names)

A total of 665 drugs are known to interact with Symbicort:

  • 66 major drug interactions (180 brand and generic names)
  • 574 moderate drug interactions (2294 brand and generic names)
  • 25 minor drug interactions (222 brand and generic names)

Alcohol/Food/Lifestyle Interactions
  • Both smoking and excessive caffeine consumption can alter the blood levels of theophylline, which... View more

No known alcohol/food interactions. This does not necessarily mean no interactions exist. Always consult your healthcare provider.
  • You should avoid the regular consumption of large amounts of grapefruits and grapefruit juice while... View more

Disease Interactions

First Approval Date

October 17, 1947

August 24, 2000

July 21, 2006

WADA Class

View World Anti-Doping Agency classifications.

N/A

More Information

Consumer Resources

Professional Resources

Related Treatment Guide

** The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) schedule information displayed applies to substances regulated under federal law. There may be variations in CSA schedules between individual states.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

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