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

Quick overview

Theophylline Tablet contains Theophylline, a xanthine (methylxanthine) bronchodilator used together with other medicines to treat lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD. It works by relaxing the muscles in the airways of the lungs to make breathing easier. It is taken regularly to control and prevent symptoms, and it does not cure these conditions.

What is Theophylline Tablet

Theophylline is a prescription medicine used along with other medicines to treat lung diseases like asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and COPD. It belongs to a group of medicines called bronchodilators, which relax the muscles in the airways of the lungs.

Theophylline Tablet uses

• Treats symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases
• Used to manage and prevent symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Helps prevent and treat wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness caused by respiratory conditions
• Does not cure these conditions and must be used regularly to control symptoms

Benefits of Theophylline Tablet

• Relaxes muscles in the bronchial tubes (air passages) of the lungs
• Relieves cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing airflow through the bronchial tubes
• Can decrease time lost from work or school by controlling breathing symptoms

How Theophylline Tablet works

Theophylline relaxes the smooth muscles around the airways in the lungs and blood vessels in the lungs, which helps open the airways so breathing is easier. It works by blocking an enzyme called phosphodiesterase, which raises a substance called cyclic AMP that helps relax the airway muscles. It also blocks adenosine receptors, which helps prevent the airways from tightening and becoming inflamed. It may also help the diaphragm muscle contract more strongly, aiding breathing.

Theophylline Tablet dosage

Take this medicine exactly as directed by your doctor; do not take more or less than prescribed. Take it at the same time each day to help keep a constant amount of the medicine in your blood. Take extended-release capsules or tablets every morning at the same time each day. If a second dose is prescribed, it may be taken about 10 to 12 hours after the morning dose and before the evening meal, unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

Swallow extended-release tablets whole; do not break, crush, or chew them. Do not split tablets unless they have a score line and your doctor or pharmacist says it is okay. Extended-release tablets can be taken with or without food. It is best to take extended-release capsules about one hour before a high-fat meal, or without food. Measure oral liquid with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup, since a regular household teaspoon may not measure the right amount.

Take this medication regularly, even if you feel well; do not stop or change how you take it without checking with your doctor first. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule; do not double up doses. Avoid large amounts of caffeine-containing foods and drinks such as chocolate, cocoa, tea, coffee, and cola while taking this medicine.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet, Extended Release
• Tablet, Extended Release, 12 HR
• Capsule, Extended Release, 24 HR
• Solution
• Tablet, Extended Release, 24 HR
• Injection (intravenous)

Side effects of Theophylline Tablet

Common

• Headache
• Irritability
• Restlessness
• Sleeplessness or trouble sleeping
• Increased urine volume
• Increased stomach acid secretion
• Nausea
• Diarrhea
• Nervousness
• Shaking/tremors
• Stomach/abdominal pain

Serious

• Chest pain or discomfort
• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• Persistent nausea or vomiting
• Seizures
• Shakiness (tremors)
• Muscle cramps
• Confusion
• Signs of allergic reaction such as rash, itching, swelling of the face/tongue/throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing

Warnings and precautions

• Do not stop or change your dose without checking with your doctor first, since abruptly stopping the drug can make breathing symptoms worse, which can be dangerous.
• People allergic to theophylline or similar drugs, and those with active stomach ulcers, seizure disorders, or serious uncontrolled irregular heartbeats should not take this medicine.
• This medicine has a narrow safety margin, meaning the difference between a helpful dose and a harmful one is small, so blood levels need regular monitoring.
• Older adults may be more sensitive to the effects of this medicine and are more likely to have kidney, liver, heart, or lung problems that require caution and dose changes.
• Tell your doctor if you have had a high fever for 24 hours or more, or if you have started or stopped smoking tobacco or marijuana, since this can change how the medicine works in your body.
• Theophylline should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Changes in the body during the last three months of pregnancy can affect blood levels of the drug, so your doctor should monitor you closely.
• Theophylline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby, so talk to your doctor before breastfeeding.
• Caution is needed in infants younger than 3 months with kidney disease, since the medicine may be removed from the body more slowly.
• People with liver disease should use theophylline with caution, since the medicine is removed from the body more slowly and effects may be increased. This risk is higher because clearance can drop significantly in these patients.
• Caffeine and alcohol can increase the side effects of this medication, so avoid drinking large amounts of alcohol or caffeinated beverages like coffee, tea, and colas.
• This medicine can cause dizziness or sleeplessness, which may affect your ability to drive or use machinery. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use

When to see a doctor

• Stop using this medicine and contact your doctor right away if you have ongoing nausea or vomiting, headaches, trouble sleeping, seizures, or an irregular heartbeat.
• Get emergency help right away if you have signs of an overdose, such as severe stomach pain, blurred vision, confusion, irregular or pounding heartbeat, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or seizures.
• Get medical help immediately if you notice signs of a serious allergic reaction, such as rash, itching or swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
• Get medical help right away if your asthma symptoms get worse or if you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often than usual or more than prescribed.

Alternatives

• Salbutamol
• Budesonide
• Tiotropium