Theophylline

Drug Status in USA : Approved
Drug Status in Canada : Approved

pronunciation

pronounced as (the off'' i lin)

Why is this medication prescribed?

Theophylline is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.


How should this medicine be used?

Theophylline comes as a tablet, capsule, solution, and syrup to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 6, 8, 12, or 24 hours. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take theophylline exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Take this medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not chew or crush the extended-release (long-acting) tablets; swallow them whole. Extended-release capsules (e.g., Theo-Dur Sprinkles) may be swallowed whole or opened and the contents mixed with soft food and swallowed without chewing.

Theophylline controls symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases but does not cure them. Continue to take theophylline even if you feel well. Do not stop taking theophylline without talking to your doctor.


What are the precautions to be followed?

Before taking theophylline,
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to theophylline or any other drugs.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription medications you are taking, especially allopurinol (Zyloprim), azithromycin (Zithromax), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cimetidine (Tagamet), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), diuretics ('water pills'), erythromycin, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), oral contraceptives, phenytoin (Dilantin), prednisone (Deltasone), propranolol (Inderal), rifampin (Rifadin), tetracycline (Sumycin), and other medications for infections or heart disease.
  • tell your doctor and pharmacist what nonprescription medications and vitamins you are taking, including ephedrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine. Many nonprescription products contain these drugs (e.g., diet pills and medications for colds and asthma), so check labels carefully. Do not take these medications without talking to your doctor; they can increase the side effects of theophylline.
  • tell your doctor if you have or have ever had seizures, ulcers, heart disease, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, high blood pressure, or liver disease or if you have a history of alcohol abuse.
  • tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking theophylline, call your doctor.
  • tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of theophylline.

What are possible side effects of this medication ?

Theophylline may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away.

  • upset stomach
  • stomach pain
  • diarrhea
  • headache
  • restlessness
  • insomnia
  • irritability

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

  • vomiting
  • increased or rapid heart rate
  • irregular heartbeat
  • seizures
  • skin rash


How to store the medication and dispose it of after its use later?

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.


Drug Category/Class

  • Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
  • Purinergic P1 Receptor Antagonists
  • Muscle Relaxants, Respiratory
  • Xanthines and Adrenergics
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inhibitors
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 Inducers
  • Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C8 Inducers
  • CYP2D6 Inducers
  • CYP2D6 Inducers (strong)
  • CYP3A4 Inhibitors
  • Bronchodilator Agents
  • Vasodilator Agents
  • Respiratory System
Prescribed For the treatment of the symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with chronic asthma and other chronic lung diseases, such as emphys...
Weight :180.164
Structure Theophylline
Generic Drug Theophylline prescribed For the treatment of the symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with chronic asthma and other chronic lung diseases, such as emphys...
Formula

C7H8N4O2

Theophylline has 60 Brands listed


Asma-OD (400 mg)Biryth (300 mg)
Broncordil (200 ml)Broncordil XL (200 mg)
Cadiphylate (250 mg)Delin (400 mg)
Duralyn CR (200 mg)Duralyn CR (400 mg)
E Fin (400 mg)Etophylate (100 ml)
Etophylate (200 ml)Glotab
Klon T (400 mg)Lontif CR (400 mg)
Lungfyl SR (200 mg)OD Phyllin (400 mg)
OD Phyllin (600 mg)Onimar (150 mg)
Onimar (400 mg)Phylin 1 (400 mg)
Phylobid (200 mg)Phylobid (300 mg)
Phyloday (400 mg)Phyloday (600 mg)
Phyne (400 mg)T R Phyllin (100 ml)
T R Phyllin (125 mg)T R Phyllin (200 ml)
T R Phyllin (250 mg)T R Phyllin Syrup (100 ml)
Tglo (200 mg)Theo PA (100 mg)
Theo PA (300 mg)Theo SR (200 mg)
Theobid (200 mg)Theobid (300 mg)
Theobus (200 mg)Theobus (400 mg)
Theoday (400 mg)Theoday (600 mg)
Theofil (400 mg)Theofil SR (400 mg)
Theoped (100 mg)Theoped (50 mg)
Theophylline (400 mg)Theopin CR (400 mg)
Theoresp (400 mg)Theoresp (600 mg)
Theostan CR (200 mg)Theotab SR (200 mg)
Theotas (200 mg)Theotas (400 mg)
Theotas (600 mg)THP 1 SR (400 mg)
TSR (200 mg)TSR (400 mg)
Unicontin E (400 mg)Unicontin E (600 mg)
Vent T (400 mg)Zvtho (400 mg)

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