THEOPHYLLINE

Indications & Dose:

Bronchial asthma; reversible bronchospasm of chronic bronchitis and emphysema; apnea and bradycardia of prematurity

• BY MOUTH

Adult :12- 16 years or over two third (200mg), max; 900mg in 24 hours. twice times daily after food.

Child: Under 9 years one third(100mg), 9-12 years one half (150mg) every 12 years.

Adult : 12-3 teaspoonful 4-6hourly

Child: One and half teaspoonful 4-6 hourly

• BY BY SLOW INTRAVENOUS injection (over 20 minutes) 4 mg/kg initially.

Under 6 years not recommended

Contraindications:

 Tachydysrhythmias; as sole treatment of status asthmaticus; active peptic ulcer disease; seizure disorders.

Side Effects:

Cautions:

Precautions:

Elderly, CHF, cor pulmonale, hepatic disease, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, hypertension, active alcoholism, children, neonates

PREGNANCY AND LACTATION: No reports of malformations; compatible with breast feeding with precaution that rapidly absorbed preparations may cause irritability in the infant 

Interaction:

Drugs

Adenosine: Inhibited hemodynamic effects of adenosine

Allopurinol, amiodarone, cimetidine. ciprofloxacin, disulfiram, erythromycin, interferon alfa, isoniazid, methimazole, metoprolol, norfloxacin, pefloxacin, pentoxyfylline, propafenone, propylthiouracil, radioactive iodine, tacrine, thiabendazole, ticlopidine, verapamil: Increased theophylline concentrations

Aminoglutethamide, barbiturates, carbamazepine, moricizine, pherytytoin, rifampin, ritonavir, thyroid hormone: Reduced theophylline levels; decreased serum phenytoin concentrations

Beta Blockers: Reduced bronchodilating response to theophylline

Enoxacin, fluvoxamine, mexiletine, propranolol, troleandomycin: Markedly increased theophylline concentrations

lmipenem: Some patients on theophylline have developed seizures following the addition of imipenem

Lithium: Reduced lithium concentrations

Smoking: Increased theophylline dosing requirements 

Warnings:

Adverse Effects:

Lactations:

Special Precautions:

Counselling:

Side Effects Or Adverse Reactions:

CNS: Anxiety, dizziness, headache, insomnia, lightheadedness, muscle twitching, restlessness, seizures

CV: Dysrhythmias, fluid retention with tachycardia, hypotension, palpitations, pounding heartbeat, sinus tachycardia

Gl: Anorexia, bitter taste, diarrhea, dyspepsia, gastroesaphageal reflux, nausea, vomiting

GU: Urinary frequency

RESP: Increased rate

SKIN: Flushing, urticaria 

Patient And Carer Advice: