Doxofylline
Description
Doxofylline is used in the treatment of asthma and other obstructive lung disorders. It is used to manage the symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath associated with lung disorders.
Doxofylline is a bronchodilator, that helps relax the smooth muscles of the airways in your lungs. This medicine is available on prescription as a tablet, suspension, syrup and injection forms.
Doxofylline may show some side effects like vomiting, headache, nausea, and an upset stomach. It is recommended not to consume alcohol and caffeine containing substances like coffee, tea and dark chocolates because it may increase the risk of its side effects.
Doxofylline should be taken with food. The dose and duration will be determined by your doctor. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to do so. Abrupt discontinuation may worsen your condition.
Doxofylline may interact with the action of other medicines. Inform your doctor about any other health issues like liver, kidney, heart troubles or if you are undergoing any medical treatment before taking this medicine. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Doxofylline
- Nausea or Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Sleeplessness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Increased heartbeat
- Low blood pressure
- Low blood potassium
- Fast/irregular heart beat
Uses of Doxofylline
What is it prescribed for?
- Asthma
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe amount of time taken for Doxofylline to show its effect is 1 hour.
- Duration of effectThe amount of time for which Doxofylline remains effective in your body is 10 to 11 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendencies were reported for Doxofylline.
- Usage in pregnancy?Doxofylline is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine if you are pregnant.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Doxofylline is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking this medication.
Allergy
Avoid taking Doxofylline if you are allergic to it. Allergic reactions are very rare to this medicine. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (of your face/tongue/throat), breathing difficulties, etc.
Acute myocardial infarction
Acute myocardial infarction is also known as a heart attack. Doxofylline is not recommended for use if you have had a heart attack recently because it may worsen your condition.
Hypotension
Hypotension is a decrease in blood pressure levels. Doxofylline is not recommended for use if you have a known history of hypotension due to the increased risk of a worsening condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Doxofylline is not recommended for use during pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking the medicine if you are pregnant.
Breast-feeding
Doxofylline is not recommended for use while breastfeeding. Consult your doctor before taking this medication.
General warnings
Kidney/Liver impairment
Doxofylline should be used with caution if you have severe kidney or liver problems. This medicine is absorbed in the liver and excreted from your kidneys. Using it while you have pre-existing kidney or liver damage will lead to the accumulation of this medicine. This may increase the risk of toxicity and lead to kidney or liver failure.
Other medicines
Doxofylline may interact with many other medicines and may cause severe side effects. Hence, it is advised that you inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Other diseases
Doxofylline may worsen the signs and symptoms of many medical conditions. It is advised that you report all your current medical conditions as well as your medical history to your doctor before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Use in children
Doxofylline is not recommended for use in children and adolescents less than 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy of its use are not clinically established.
Missed Dose
Oral forms: If you missed a dose of Doxofylline at a given time, then take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Injection: Doxofylline is administered in the hospital or clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of a missed dose is very low.
Overdose
Oral forms: Never take more than the dose prescribed by your doctor. If you have intentionally or accidentally consumed more than the prescribed amount of Doxofylline, contact your doctor immediately for further guidance.
Injection: Since Doxofylline is administered by a healthcare professional, it is very unlikely to have an overdose. In case if that happens, your doctor will immediately start overdose protocol.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Instructions
Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine
Allopurinol
Phenytoin
Propranolol
Cimetidine
Disease interactions
Peptic ulcer
Peptic ulcer is a condition in which there is the development of open sores on the inner lining of your stomach and the upper portion of your small intestine. It usually occurs due to bacterial infection or medicines like pain killers. Its primary symptom is stomach pain. Doxofylline is not recommended if you have a known history of peptic ulcerations due to the increased risk of worsening the condition.
Seizure disorders
Seizure/Fits is a sudden, uncontrolled electrical disturbance in your brain that leads to changes in your behaviour, movements or feelings, and loss of consciousness. Doxofylline should be used with caution because it may increase the risk of recurrent seizure attacks.
Heart rhythm disorders
Heart rhythm disorder is a condition in which there are improper or irregular heartbeats (too fast or too slow). Doxofylline should be used with extreme caution if you have heart rhythm disorders due to the increased risk of worsening the condition.
Hyperthyroidism
Hyperthyroidism is a condition in which your thyroid gland produces high levels of thyroid hormones. Doxofylline may further worsen your condition; hence, use it with caution if you have hyperthyroidism.
Food interactions
Avoid or limit the uptake of caffeine or caffeine-containing products while you are on treatment with Doxofylline because it may increase the risk of side effects.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Oral forms: Take Doxofylline as instructed by your doctor. You should adhere to any dose changes instituted by your doctor over the course of treatment. Do not take this medicine in larger or smaller quantities than prescribed.
Injection: Injection: Doxofylline should be administered by a qualified healthcare professional in the clinical or hospital setting.
Doxofylline does not act immediately; thus, you should not use it to treat acute respiratory difficulties. Always carry an inhaler with you.
If your breathing becomes more difficult at any point, seek immediate guidance from your doctor or nurse.
Avoid or limit smoking while you are on treatment with this medicine. Smoking irritates and damages the lungs, thus may exacerbate your condition.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Doxofylline works by relaxing the smooth vessels of the airways in your lungs. It also reduces the sensitivity of your lungs to allergens that cause irritation and constriction of muscles in the chest and the lungs.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Methylxanthines, Bronchodilators
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Doxofylline. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 September 2021].
Unilab.com.ph. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 14 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 28 Sep 2021
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.