Theophylline
About Theophylline
Theophylline belongs to the class of 'Xanthine' primarily used for the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma and COPD cause breathing difficulty and cough.
Theophylline contains Theophylline, which relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe by reducing inflammation and increasing airflow, thereby providing relief from respiratory symptoms.
In some cases, you may experience nausea, vomiting, restlessness, tremors, headache, muscle cramps, and increased heart rate. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Theophylline is a habit-forming drug, and hence, there is a risk of dependence on this medicine. So, before stopping this medicine, contact a doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, or general unwell feeling.
Uses of Theophylline
Medicinal Benefits
- Theophylline helps relieve breathing difficulty by relaxing and widening the airways.
- It improves airflow in the lungs in patients with asthma and COPD.
- It helps reduce symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
- Theophylline provides long-term control of chronic respiratory conditions.
- It improves oxygen supply to the body by keeping the airways open.
- Theophylline helps prevent asthma attacks when taken regularly as maintenance therapy.
- It enhances overall lung function and respiratory comfort.
Directions for Use
- Theophylline should be taken on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal.
- Avoid taking it with foods high in caffeine, such as cocoa, tea, coffee, and chocolate, as these foods may increase the risk of side effects.
- It is usually taken 1-4 times a day, or as prescribed by your doctor, depending on the severity of your medical condition.
- Swallow Theophylline as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush or chew this medication.
Storage
Side Effects of Theophylline
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Indigestion
- Dizziness
Drug Warnings
- Do not take Theophylline if you are allergic to any of its components.
- Inform your doctor if you have any lung disease, muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis), a sleeping disorder or difficulty in sleeping (sleep apnoea), severe liver disease, or a problem with alcohol or other prescription or recreational drugs.
- Theophylline is a habit-forming drug, so there is a risk of dependence on this medicine. So, before stopping this medicine, contact a doctor as it may cause withdrawal symptoms like anxiety, increased heart rate, tremors, or general unwell feeling.
- Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Let your doctor know if you are taking any other medicines, including supplements or herbal products.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: This medicine interacts with asthma or breathing medicine (aminophylline, salbutamol, terbutaline or salmeterol), oral contraceptives, antidepressant (St. John’s Wort), anticancer (aminoglutethimide, methotrexate or lomustine), high blood pressure medicine (adenosine, moracizine, diltiazem, isoprenaline, mexiletine, propafenone, propranolol, verapamil), sleeping pills (benzodiazepines), stomach ulcers medicines (cimetidine or nizatidine), antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, norfloxacin, ofloxacin), and treat alcoholism (disulfiram).
Drug-Food Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Theophylline should be taken with caution if you have high blood pressure or any other heart problems, an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), stomach ulcer, liver problems, seizures (fits) or convulsions, fever, viral infection, alcoholism, male and have difficulty in passing urine (due to an enlarged prostate gland).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol can alter the way Theophylline works. Please consult your doctor if you intend to drink alcohol whilst taking Theophylline.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you are pregnant before starting Theophylline.
Breast Feeding
consult your doctorPlease consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding before starting Theophylline.
Driving
cautionTheophylline usually causes dizziness, drowsiness and visual disturbances, which may affect their ability to drive or operate machinery. So, do not drive or operate heavy machinery if you feel sleepy or dizzy after taking Theophylline. Tell your doctor if you get these types of side effects.
Liver
cautionTheophylline to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
safe if prescribedTheophylline has no reported interactions; if you experience any difficulty, discuss it with your doctor.
Children
cautionTheophylline is not recommended for children under six years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet, especially green leafy vegetables, and strictly do not consume alcohol, caffeine (coffee, tea and cola drinks and chocolate).
- Smoking should be avoided, as it can alter theophylline levels in the blood, which may affect dosing.
- It is very important to maintain hygiene, such as washing hands after coming from outside, as people with asthma/COPD are at a greater risk of infections.
- Stay active and do regular exercise to improve the quality of life and increase tolerance to shortness of breath.
- Talk with a family member if you feel low or are stressed, as it helps to improve symptoms of COPD and keep it under control.
- Shortness of breath can be relieved with the pursed-lip breathing exercise. In this, just relax your neck and shoulder muscles, breathe in with your nose for two seconds and breathe out through pursed lips for four seconds. Such exercises will help you to improve your breath.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a breathing problem in which airways narrow, swell and may produce extra mucus, which may lead to breathing difficulty and trigger cough, a whistling sound (wheezing) when you breathe out and shortness of breath.
COPD: It is a group of progressive lung diseases, most commonly emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation and irritation of bronchial tubes). Initially, it may be mild, but in severe cases, it can lead to total blockage of the airways and damage to the lungs.
FAQs
Theophylline is used to manage asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Theophylline contains Theophylline, which relaxes the lungs' airways and makes breathing easier.
Yes, Theophylline can lead to withdrawal symptoms. So, it should not be stopped abruptly. Consult your doctor, and your dose might be lowered if required.
No, dose of Theophylline should not be increased without consulting your doctor as it may increase the risk of hypokalemia (high blood potassium level), which may lead to side effects of Theophylline and also affect its efficacy.
Theophylline is contraindicated in patients who are allergic to any of its ingredients. It is advised to avoid taking Theophylline and beta-blockers like propranolol together at once.
If you are taking medication for seizures, it might worsen your condition and lead to symptoms like confusion, trouble talking, tremors or twitching, loss of muscle tone or tense muscles. Consult your doctor before taking Theophylline along with seizure medications.
No, you should not take Theophylline if you have ulcers, as it may worsen your ulcers and lead to bleeding and inflammation. So, please consult your doctor before starting Theophylline, as dose adjustment may be required.
You will probably be prescribed Theophylline for a long time. Do not stop taking them unless your doctor tells you to, even if you feel better.
Theophylline may cause side effects such as vomiting, diarrhoea, dizziness and indigestion. If these side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Take Theophylline as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it.
Theophylline starts working quickly, and you may see an improvement in symptoms within about 30 minutes of taking it. However, it may take a little longer, about 4 to 8 hours, to show the full effect. If there is no considerable improvement in your symptoms, consult your doctor.
While taking Theophylline, you should avoid foods high in caffeine, such as cocoa, tea, coffee, and chocolate, as these foods increase Theophylline side effects. Also, you should avoid alcohol and tobacco. If you have any concerns regarding food restriction, please discuss with your doctor.
