Doxofylline Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Doxofylline Tablet (generic name: Doxofylline) is a methylxanthine derivative that works as a bronchodilator. It is used to treat asthma, COPD, bronchitis, and other lung conditions involving narrowed or spastic airways. It helps relax the muscles around the airways to make breathing easier and is available in tablet, suspension, syrup, and injection forms.

What is Doxofylline Tablet

Doxofylline is a bronchodilator medicine that belongs to the methylxanthine family. It is used to treat asthma and other lung conditions that cause narrowed airways.

Doxofylline Tablet uses

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Bronchitis
• Bronchospasm and pulmonary disease with a spastic bronchial component

Benefits of Doxofylline Tablet

• Provides rapid relief from breathlessness and chest tightness
• Gives long-lasting relaxation of airway muscles, reducing frequency and severity of asthma or COPD attacks
• Has a lower risk of cardiac side effects compared to older similar medicines
• Allows a convenient dosing schedule
• Can often be combined with other respiratory medicines

How Doxofylline Tablet works

Doxofylline relaxes the smooth muscles of the airways in the lungs, which widens the air passages and makes breathing easier. It is thought to work partly by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase, which raises levels of a substance called cAMP and helps relax the muscles.

Doxofylline Tablet dosage

Take this medicine with food. Take it around the same time every day to help you remember. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to, as stopping suddenly may worsen your condition. Swallow the tablet whole with water; do not chew or break it.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet
• Suspension
• Syrup
• Injection

Side effects of Doxofylline Tablet

Common

• Nausea or vomiting
• Stomach pain
• Sleeplessness
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Increased heartbeat
• Upset stomach

Serious

• Low blood pressure
• Low blood potassium
• Fast or irregular heartbeat

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can interact with other medicines. Tell your doctor about any other health conditions, such as liver, kidney, or heart problems, or any other treatments you are undergoing before starting this medicine.
• Do not take this medicine together with erythromycin, troleandomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, ranitidine, or propranolol, as these can raise the level of this medicine in your blood.
• Do not take this medicine with other similar medicines from the same drug family, as this can slow down how the body clears the drug.
• This medicine is not recommended during pregnancy. Talk to your doctor before taking it if you are pregnant.
• This medicine is not recommended while breastfeeding. Talk to your doctor before taking it.
• Tell your doctor about any kidney problems before taking this medicine.
• Tell your doctor about any liver problems before taking this medicine.
• It is not clear how this medicine interacts with alcohol, so check with your doctor before drinking alcohol while taking it. 
• It is also recommended to avoid caffeine-containing drinks and foods like coffee, tea, and dark chocolate, as they may increase the risk of side effects.

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you notice yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, unusual tiredness, or pain in the upper stomach area, as these could be signs of liver problems.
• Seek medical advice if you notice a fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, muscle weakness, or cramps.
• Report any skin rash or itching to your doctor right away, since rare but serious skin reactions have been reported.

Alternatives

• Theophylline
• Salbutamol
• Budesonide