Theophylline

Description

Theophylline is a medicine used to treat breathing problems due to various conditions like asthma (a condition that affects your airways and causes breathing difficulty), chronic bronchitis (swelling of the airways), emphysema (damage to the air sacs in the lungs), etc. This medicine relaxes the smooth muscles of your airways leading to your lungs and makes breathing easier. Theophylline has some side effects like diarrhoea, stomach pain, upset stomach, headache, restlessness, etc. These side effects usually subside by themselves. Consult your doctor if they persist or worsen. Theophylline should be taken according to your doctor's instructions. Your doctor will determine the dose and duration of treatment depending on the severity of your health condition. It is not recommended to take more than the prescribed dose. You should continue taking this medicine even if the symptoms subside. Do not discontinue without consulting your doctor. Theophylline should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney, or heart problems before taking this medicine. Consult your doctor if you are pregnant, or are breastfeeding.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Theophylline

  • Increased/Irregular heart rate
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Allergic skin reaction
  • Stomach discomfort and pain
  • Diarrhoea
  • Headache
  • Sleeplessness
  • Difficult or painful urination
  • Restlessness
  • Upset stomach

Uses of Theophylline

What is it prescribed for?

  • Asthma
  • Other lung diseases causing bronchospasms
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The time taken for Theophylline to show its effect is not known.
  • Duration of effect
    The time duration for which Theophylline remains effective in your body is not known.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Theophylline as it decreases the effectiveness of this medicine.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit-forming tendencies were reported for Theophylline.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    Theophylline is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    Theophylline passes into breastmilk and may cause irritability in your baby. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.

Allergy

Avoid taking Theophylline if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.

Porphyria

Porphyria is a condition that occurs due to the build-up of a chemical called porphyrin in your body. It affects the production of heme which carries oxygen in your blood. It can cause nerve or skin problems. Theophylline is not recommended for use if you have porphyria.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Theophylline is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless necessary. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.

Breast-feeding

Theophylline passes into breastmilk and may cause irritability in your baby. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings

Urinary tract obstruction

Urinary tract obstruction is a condition that causes difficulty in urination. It may occur in men due to enlargement of the prostate gland. Theophylline should be used with caution if you have urinary tract obstructions as this medicine may cause retention of urine in the urinary bladder. Thus, it may further worsen your condition.

Other medicines

Theophylline may interact with other medicines and cause side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines including any herbs and supplements before beginning treatment with Theophylline.

Fever

Theophylline should be used with caution if you have fever as it may increase the concentration of this medicine in your body. Report any such instance to your doctor while taking this medicine.

Theophylline toxicity

The use of high doses of Theophylline for the long-term may be associated with toxicity due to an accumulation of the medicine in your body. Your doctor may suggest tests to regularly measure the serum concentration of this medicine.

Use in elderly people

Theophylline should be used with caution in elderly people as the risk of side effects are significantly higher.

Severe acute episode of asthma

Theophylline is not recommended for use in sudden onset of asthma. Consult your doctor to understand what medicine should be used in such conditions.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Theophylline as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose of Theophylline. Seek emergency medical treatment in case of an overdose.
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

N/A

Instructions

Avoid consumption of alcohol while taking Theophylline as it decreases the effectiveness of this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine

Carbamazepine

Fluvoxamine

Lithium

Phenytoin

Propranolol

Ethinyl Estradiol

Cimetidine

Ciprofloxacin

Azithromycin

Disease interactions

Peptic ulcer

Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of your stomach and intestine. Theophylline may cause stomach irritation and also increase the secretion of acid in your stomach. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have peptic ulcers as it may worsen your health condition.

Kidney Disease

Theophylline should be used with caution if you have kidney problems as it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in the blood and increase the risk of toxicity. Your doctor may suggest tests to closely monitor your kidney function and recommend dose adjustments based on your condition.

Seizure disorders

Seizures are abnormal brain activity causing fits. Theophylline should be used with caution if you have seizures as this medicine may further trigger seizures.

Heart rhythm disorders

Theophylline may cause an increase in heart rate. Hence, it should be used with caution if you have heart problems as it may further worsen your condition.

Liver Disease

Theophylline is broken down in the liver. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution if you have liver problems as it may lead to the accumulation of this medicine in your body and increase the risk of side effects. Your doctor may recommend dose adjustments based on your clinical condition.
Food interactions
Caffeine may increase the risk of side effects of Theophylline. Hence, avoid drinks or foods containing caffeine (such as coffee, tea, cola, chocolates, etc.) while taking this medicine.
Avoid smoking during treatment with Theophylline and it may alter the concentration of this medicine in your blood.
Lab interactions

Serum Uric acid test

Report the use of Theophylline to your doctor or lab technician before undergoing a test to determine the level of uric acid in the serum. This medicine may interfere with the results and may give a false-positive result.
Theophylline should be taken as instructed by your doctor. For tablets and capsules, do not break, chew, or crush the medicine. For the syrup, shake the bottle well before use. Avoid taking more or less than the prescribed dose. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor as the symptoms may reappear or worsen. Consult your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects that persist or worsen. Avoid smoking and consuming alcohol during treatment with Theophylline as it reduces the effectiveness of this medicine.
Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works
Theophylline works by relaxing the muscle in your airways and helps you to breathe easily.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Methylxanthines, Respiratory agents

Schedule

Schedule H

2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 October 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/4862>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - THEOPHYLLINE (ANHYDROUS)- theophylline tablet, extended release. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 October 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=1f2a4716-34fe-4a2c-8bbf-5ed16772a967>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Theophylline. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 6 October 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/2153#section=Top>

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Uniphyllin Continus 300 mg prolonged release tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 7 September 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/1021/smpc#MACHINEOPS>

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Information on this page was last updated on 26 Oct 2021

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