febuxostat vs theophylline
Side-by-side comparison of febuxostat and theophylline. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
moderate Known Drug Interaction
Based on a drug interaction study in healthy patients, febuxostat altered the metabolism of theophylline (a substrate of XO) in humans [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3) ]. Therefore, use with caution when coadministering febuxostat with theophylline.
Recommendation: Use these drugs together with caution and talk to your doctor about any needed monitoring.
Uloric
Theo-24, Elixophyllin
Febuxostat (Uloric) helps manage high uric acid levels in adults with gout. It is used when allopurinol doesn't work well, causes problems, or isn't a good option.
Theophylline is a medicine that helps you breathe easier. It treats the symptoms of asthma and other lung problems.
Febuxostat treats high uric acid levels in adults who have gout. Gout is a type of arthritis that causes sudden, severe pain, swelling, and redness in your joints. This medicine is for people who can't take allopurinol, or for whom allopurinol doesn't work well enough.
Theophylline treats the symptoms of long-term asthma and other lung diseases. These include emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which make it hard to breathe. This medicine helps to open up your airways so you can breathe easier.
Febuxostat lowers uric acid levels in your body. It does this by blocking an enzyme called xanthine oxidase. This enzyme helps make uric acid, so blocking it reduces uric acid production.
Theophylline is a bronchodilator. It works by relaxing the muscles in your airways. This allows more air to flow in and out of your lungs.
- • Abnormal liver function tests
- • Nausea
- • Joint pain
- • Rash
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Headache
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Diarrhea 849
- Nausea 841
- Sudden kidney damage 837
- Rash 783
- Gout 686
- Difficulty breathing 2,273
- Asthma 1,942
- Pneumonia 1,317
- Wheezing 1,306
- Vomiting 1,101
Febuxostat may increase the risk of death from heart problems in people with existing heart disease. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking febuxostat. Febuxostat should only be used if allopurinol doesn't work well, causes problems, or isn't a good option for you.
If your theophylline levels get too high in your blood, it can cause serious side effects. These include severe vomiting, irregular heartbeats, and seizures. These can be life-threatening.
It is not known if febuxostat can harm your unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if febuxostat passes into breast milk. Talk to your doctor about the best way to feed your baby if you are taking this medicine.
It is not known if theophylline can harm an unborn baby. Talk to your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is also not known if theophylline passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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How to Read This febuxostat vs theophylline Comparison
febuxostat is classified in the Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitor drug class, while theophylline sits within the Methylxanthine Bronchodilator class. Drugs from different classes work through distinct mechanisms, so a head-to-head comparison illustrates trade-offs rather than equivalence. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, febuxostat has 3,996 submissions while theophylline has 7,939. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume, not per-patient risk, so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. These two drugs have a known moderate interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to febuxostat interferes with how the body breaks down theophylline, which can change the amount of medicine in your body.. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between febuxostat and theophylline - always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.