THEOPHYLLINE, EPHEDRINE & HYDROXYZINE

Brand & Generic Names

Hydrophed
Hydrophed D.F.
Marax
Marax D.F.
T.E.H. Compound
Theozine

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Bronchodilator (xanthine), sympathomimetic, antihistamine

Uses

• Treatment for symptoms of bronchial asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis.
• Relieves wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet, capsule or syrup--Swallow with liquid.

When to take:
Most effective taken on empty stomach 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating. However, may take with food to lessen stomach upset.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Relaxes and expands bronchial tubes.
Prevents cells from releasing allergy-causing chemicals (histamines).
Relaxes muscles of bronchial tubes.
Decreases blood vessel size and blood flow, thus causing decongestion.
May reduce activity in areas of the brain that influence emotional stability.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 60 minutes.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs with ephedrine, pseudoephedrine or epinephrine.
Non-prescription drugs for cough, cold, allergy or asthma without consulting doctor.
See Interaction Section and consult doctor.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Restlessness, irritability, confusion, hallucinations, severe anxiety, muscle tremors, rapid and irregular pulse, agitation, purposeless movements, vomiting blood, delirium, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Difficult breathing, Discontinue. Seek uncontrollable rapid emergency treatment. heart rate, loss of consciousness.

Common:

• Headache, irritability, nervousness, restlessness, insomnia, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, irregular heartbeat.
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, paleness, heartburn.

Infrequent:

• Skin rash or hives, red or flushed face, appetite loss, diarrhea, abdominal pain.
• Frequent urination.

Rare:

Tremor.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any bronchodilator, ephedrine, any sympathomimetic* drug, or antihistamine.
• You have an active peptic ulcer.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have had impaired kidney or liver function.
• If you have gastritis, peptic ulcer, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, overactive thyroid gland, difficulty urinating, epilepsy.
• If you have taken any MAO inhibitor in past 2 weeks, taken digitalis preparations in the last 7 days.
• If you take medication for gout.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:

• Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.
• More likely to develop increased urination difficulty, high blood pressure, heart rhythm disturbances, angina and to feel drug's stimulant effects.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Use only under medical supervision.

Prolonged use:

• Stomach irritation.
• Excessive doses--Rare toxic psychosis.
• Men with enlarged prostate gland may have more urination difficulty.
• Tolerance develops and reduces effectiveness.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Allopurinol	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased effect of
tricyclic (TCA)*	ephedrine. Excess stimulation of
	heart and blood pressure.
Antihistamines*	Increased hydroxyzine effect.
Antihypertensives*	Decreased antihypertensive effect.
Beta-adrenergic	Decreased effect of
blockers*	drugs.
Carteolol	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Ciprofloxacin	May cause kidney dysfunction.
Clarithromycin	Increased concentration of
	theophylline.
Digitalis	Serious heart rhythm
preparations*	disturbances.
Dronabinol	Increased effect of drugs.
Ephedrine	Increased effect of drugs.
Epinephrine	Increased effect of drugs.
Ergot	Serious blood
preparations*	pressure rise.
Erythromycins*	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Finasteride	Decreased theophylline effect.
Furosemide	Increased furosemide effect.
Guanethidine	Decreased effect of drugs.
Lincomycins*	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Lithium	Decreased lithium effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased ephedrine effect.
	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
Moricizine	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Nicardipine	May increase theophylline effect
	and toxicity.
Nicotine	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Nitrates*	Possible decreased effect of drugs.
Pain relievers*	Increased effect of drugs.
Probenecid	Decreased effect of drugs.
Propranolol	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
Pseudoephedrine	Increased pseudoephedrine effect.
Rauwolfia alkaloids*	Rapid heartbeat.
Sotalol	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Sulfinpyrazone	Decreased sulfinpyrazone effect.
Terazosin	Decreased effect of terazosin.
Ticlopidine	Increased theophylline effect.
Tranquilizers*	Increased effect of drugs.
Troleandomycin	Increased bronchodilator effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased sedation and
	intoxication. Avoid.
Caffeine drinks.	Nervousness and insomnia.
Cocaine:	High risk of heartbeat
	irregularities and high blood
	pressure.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Slightly increased antiasthmatic
	effect of bronchodilator. Rapid
	heartbeat, possible heart rhythm
	disturbance.
Tobacco:	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
	Smoking is damaging to all problems
	this medicine treats. Avoid.