What the FDA labels say about taking them together
Methotrexate and theophylline
Methotrexate's FDA label (Rasuvo) of December 15, 2025 names theophylline in its drug interactions section, and theophylline's label names methotrexate too. The theophylline label: “Methotrexate (MTX) Decreases theophylline clearance.”
Check it at the source: the methotrexate FDA label on DailyMed (effective May 27, 2026, Accord Healthcare Inc.); the theophylline FDA label on DailyMed (effective March 10, 2026, Strides Pharma Science Limited).
What does the methotrexate label say about theophylline?
Rasuvo label (Medexus Pharma Inc., December 15, 2025), drug interactionsMethotrexate may decrease the clearance of theophylline; theophylline levels should be monitored when used concurrently with Rasuvo.
Methotrexate label (Hospira, Inc., August 22, 2025), drug interactionsMethotrexate on Other Drugs Theophylline Coadministration of methotrexate with theophylline increases theophylline plasma concentrations which may increase the risk of theophylline adverse reactions.
Source: FDA drug label (Rasuvo, NDA205776), Medexus Pharma Inc., effective December 15, 2025 (SPL set d0075461-0e7e-4967-9c9b-d6440e912c0e), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Methotrexate, NDA011719), Hospira, Inc., effective August 22, 2025 (SPL set 0e30eaef-5a09-4104-8a11-c32933eadeab), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Otrexup, NDA204824), Antares Pharma, Inc., effective January 31, 2025 (SPL set 9ab8ce16-f7de-41d4-a4c8-1c742621b6d5), via openFDA
Source: FDA drug label (Methotrexate), Accord Healthcare Inc., effective May 27, 2026 (SPL set 874c7f43-a3be-4236-89cc-24c44e3c5813), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
What does the theophylline label say about methotrexate?
Theophylline label, drug interactionsMethotrexate (MTX) Decreases theophylline clearance.
Source: FDA drug label (Theophylline), Strides Pharma Science Limited, effective March 10, 2026 (SPL set b7a90ccf-9c32-40cc-9008-7e55b3da4dfd), via openFDA; the full label on DailyMed
These are the labels' own sentences. PlainMeds does not grade interactions; a pharmacist or prescriber can say what they mean for one person's medicines.
Both medicines on the record
| Methotrexate | Theophylline | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Rheumatoid arthritis, Psoriasis, Leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma, Breast cancer | Asthma |
| Boxed warning | Yes | No |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC) | $0.158 per tablet 2.5 mg tablet | $0.330 per tablet 300 mg tablet |
| Shortage now | In shortage | No current entry |
Source: FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026 and the FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Check more medicines together
- up to five at once