Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to theophylline
9 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as theophylline or labeled mainly for the same use (asthma); the others include 2 corticosteroids, 2 leukotriene receptor antagonists and 2 beta2-adrenergic agonists (FDA labels read October 8, 2026).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as theophylline?
Asthma lists all 37 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theophyllinemethylxanthine | this medicine | 26 labelers | $0.330 per tablet 300 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Dexamethasonecorticosteroid | Asthma | 41 labelers | $0.193 per tablet 4 mg tablet | No | In shortage |
| Montelukastleukotriene receptor antagonist | Asthma | 36 labelers | $0.0419 per tablet 10 mg tablet | Yes | A presentation being discontinued |
| Albuterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist | Asthma | 14 labelers | $0.288 per tablet 2 mg tablet | No | Resolved |
| Budesonidecorticosteroid | Asthma | 14 labelers | $0.498 per capsule 3 mg capsule | No | No current entry |
| Zafirlukastleukotriene receptor antagonist | Asthma | 5 labelers | $0.623 per tablet 20 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Zileuton5-lipoxygenase inhibitor | Asthma | 5 labelers | $2.05 per tablet 600 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Ephedrinenorepinephrine releasing agent | Asthma | none listed | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Cromolynmast cell stabilizer | Asthma | 3 labelers | $0.349 per mL 100 mg/5 mL oral conc | No | Listed; available |
| Salmeterolbeta2-adrenergic agonist | Asthma | none listed | $6.74 per unit 50 mcg | Yes | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Theophylline: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls
- Montelukast vs theophylline
- two records side by side