Theophylline

Brand names

• Accurbron
• Acet-Am
• A.E.A
• Aerolate
• Aminodrox-Forte
• Apo-Oxtriphylline
• Apo-Theo LA
• Aquaphyllim
• Asbron [CD]
• Asmalix
• Azpan
• Brocomar [CD]
• Broncomar[CD]
• Bronkaid Tablets [CD]
• Bronkodyl
• Bronkolixir [CD]
• Bronkotabs
• Bronkotabs [CD]
• Constant-T
• Duraphyl
• Elixicon
• Elixomin
• Elixophyllin
• For-Az-Ma [CD]
• Isuprel Compound [CD]
• Labid
• Lanophyllin
• Lixolin
• Lodrane
• Lodrane CR
• Marax [CD]
• Marax DF [CD]
• Mudrane GG Elixir [CD]
• Novo-Theophyl SR
• Phedral [CD]
• Phyllocontin
• Physpan
• PMS Theophylline
• Primatene
• Pulmophylline
• Quadrinal [CD]
• Quibron [CD]
• Quibron Plus [CD]
• Quibron-T Dividose
• Quibron-300 [CD]
• Quibron-T/SR
• Respbid
• Slo-Bid
• Slo-Bid Gyrocaps
• Slo-Phyllin
• Slo-Phyllin GG [CD]
• Slo-Phyllin Gyrocaps
• Somophyllin
• Somophyllin-12
• Sustaire
• Tedral [CD]
• Tedral SA [CD]
• T.E.H. [CD]
• T.E.P.
• Thalfed
• Theobid Duracaps
• Theo-Bronc
• Theochron
• Theochron SR
• Theoclear
• Theoclear L.A
• Theocord
• Theo-Dur
• Theo-Dur Sprinkle
• Theolair
• Theolair-SR
• Theolate [CD]
• Theolixir
• Theomar [CD]
• Theomax DF
• Theon
• Theophylline
• Theophyl-SR
• Theospan-SR
• Theo-SR
• Theo-Time
• Theo-24
• Theovent
• Theox
• Theozine
• Therex [CD]
• Uni-Dur
• Uniphyl
• Vitaphen [CD]

Usage

Theophylline is used to reduce the frequency and severity of breathing problems in people with asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, and other lung disorders.

How it works

An asthma attack occurs when the smooth muscles in the bronchial passages of the lungs go into a spasm (bronchospasm). Theophylline relaxes these muscles, helping to widen the constricted airways and restore normal breathing.

Side effects

Serious

Vomiting, trembling, confusion, rapid, irregular, or pounding pulse, chest pain, dizziness, convulsions, skin rashes.

Common

Restlessness, insomnia, loss of appetite, nervousness, irritability, nausea.

Less common

Heartburn, diarrhea.

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Theophylline may decrease the effects of:

• adenosine (Adenocard).
• benzodiazepines.
• lithium (Lithane, Lithobid, etc.) and reduce its effectiveness.
• zafirlukast (Accolate).

Theophylline taken concurrently with:



• halothane (anesthesia) may cause heart rhythm abnormalities.
• phenytoin (Dilantin) may cause decreased effects of both medicaments. Monitor blood levels and adjust doses as appropriate.

The following medicaments may increase the effects of theophylline:



• allopurinol (Lopurin, Zyloprim).
• amiodarone (Cordarone}.
• birth control pills (oral contraceptives-estrogens).
• cimetidine (Tagamet).
• ciprofloxacin (Cipro).
• clarithromycin (Biaxin).
• diltiazem (Cardizem).
• disulfiram (Antabuse).
• doxycycline and other tetracyclines.
• enoxacin (Penetrex).
• ephedrine (various).
• erythromycin (E-Mycin, Erythrocin, etc.).
• famotidine (Pepcid).
• flu vaccine (influenza vaccine).
• fluvoxamine (Luvox).
• furosemide (Lasix).
• grepafloxacin (Raxar).
• imipenem/cilastatin (Primaxin).
• interferon alfa.
• isoniazid (INH).
• methotrexate (Mexate).
• mexiletine (Mexitil).
• nicotine (Nicorette, Pro-Step, others).
• norfIoxacin (Noroxin).
• ofloxacin (Floxin).
• pentoxifylline (Trental).
• propafenone (Rythmol).
• ranitidine (Zantac).
• sertraline (Zoloft).
• tacrine (Cognex).
• thiabendazole.
• ticlopidine (Ticlid).
• troleandomycin (TAO)
• trovafloxacin (Trovan).
• verapamil (Calan, Verelan).
• viloxazine.
• zafirlukast (Accolate).
• zileuton (Zyflo)-may require 50% dose decreases.

The following medicaments may decrease the effects of theophylline:



• barbiturates (phenobarbital, etc.).
• beta blockers.
• carbamazepine (Tegretol).
• isoproterenol.
• fosphenytoin (Cerebyx) or phenytoin (Dilantin).
• primidone (Mysoline).
• rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, etc.).
• ritonavir (Norvir) and perhaps other protease inhibitors.
• sulfinpyrazone (Anturane).

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Using St. John's wort, ma huang, ephedrine-like compounds or kola while taking this medicine may result in increased sensation of jitteriness or nervousness (central nervous system stimulation). There is one case report of decreased removal (clearance) of theophylline from the body if it is combined with St. John's wort. Caution and more frequent testing of blood levels are prudent. Fir or pine needle oil should not be used by asthmatics. If you are allergic to plants in the Asteraceae family (aster, chrysanthemum, daisy or ragweed), you may also be allergic to Echinacea, chamomile, feverfew and St. John's wort.

Beverages:

Avoid excessive use of caffeine-containing beverages: coffee, tea, cola or chocolate; this combination could cause nervousness and insomnia.

Alcohol:

Large doses may decrease removal by up to 30%. May have additive effect on stomach irritation.

Tobacco smoking:

May hasten the elimination of this medicament and reduce its effectiveness.

Marijuana smoking:

May hasten the elimination of this medicament and reduce its effectiveness. Higher doses maybe necessary to maintain a therapeutic blood level.

Occurrence of unrelated illness:

Sudden viral respiratory infections or fever may slow medicament removal. Watch for signs of toxicity, as dosing must be changed if this occurs. More frequent blood levels are needed. Seizure disorders may be worsened by this medicine. Use with extreme caution by seizure patients. Theophylline used with extreme caution in active peptic ulcer disease or heart arrhythmias (cardiac, not including slow or bradyarrhythmias).

Discontinuation:

Avoid prolonged or unnecessary use of this medicament. When your asthma resolves, withdraw this medicament gradually over several days.