montelukast vs theophylline
Side-by-side comparison of montelukast and theophylline. Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
minor Known Drug Interaction
DRUG INTERACTIONS No dose adjustment is needed when montelukast sodium is co-administered with theophylline, prednisone, prednisolone, oral contraceptives, terfenadine, digoxin, warfarin, gemfibrozil, itraconazole, thyroid hormones, sedative hypnotics, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, benzodiazepines, decongestants, and Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme inducers [see Clinical Pharmacology (12.3)] .
Recommendation: You can continue taking your usual doses of both medications.
Singulair
Theo-24, Elixophyllin
Montelukast is a medicine that helps control asthma and allergies. It works by blocking certain natural substances in your body that cause asthma and allergy symptoms.
Theophylline is a medicine that helps you breathe easier. It treats the symptoms of asthma and other lung problems.
Montelukast is used to prevent asthma symptoms and treat long-term asthma. It can also prevent breathing problems caused by exercise. Additionally, it helps relieve symptoms of allergies like sneezing, runny nose, and itchy eyes, both seasonal and year-round.
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.
This medicine blocks leukotrienes, which are substances your body releases that cause swelling in the lungs and tightening of the muscles around your airways. By blocking these substances, montelukast helps you breathe easier. It also reduces allergy symptoms.
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.
- • Upper respiratory infection
- • Fever
- • Headache
- • Sore throat
- • Cough
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Headache
- • Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
- Difficulty breathing 7,724
- Asthma 7,439
- Tiredness 5,505
- Headache 4,785
- Cough 4,617
- Difficulty breathing 2,273
- Asthma 1,942
- Pneumonia 1,317
- Wheezing 1,306
- Vomiting 1,101
Do not use montelukast to treat a sudden asthma attack. Always have your rescue medicine with you. Do not suddenly stop taking steroid medicines if you are also taking montelukast. Some patients have experienced changes in behavior or mood, including suicidal thoughts. Tell your doctor right away if you notice these changes.
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.
If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor before taking montelukast. It is not known if montelukast passes into breast milk, so talk to your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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.
How to Read This montelukast vs theophylline Comparison
montelukast is classified in the Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist 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, montelukast has 30,070 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 minor interaction flagged in FDA labeling, attributed to taking these two drugs together does not affect how much of either medicine stays 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 montelukast 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.