BRONCHODILATORS, XANTHINE

Brand & Generic Names

Accurbron	Slo-bid
Aerolate	Slo-bid Gyrocaps
Aerolate III	Slophyllin
Aerolate Jr.	Slo-Phyllin
Aerolate Sr.	Slo-Phyllin Gyrocaps
Aerophyllin	Solu-Phyllin
Aminophyllin	Somophyllin
AMINOPHYLLINE	Somophyllin-12
Apo-Oxtriphylline	Somophyllin-CRT
Aquaphyllin	Somophyllin-DF
Asbron	Somophyllin-T
Asmalix	Sustaire
Bronkodyl	Synophylate
Choledyl	T.E.H.
Choledyl Delayed-Release	T.E.P.
Choledyl SA	Theo-24
Constant-T	Theo-250
Corophyllin	Theobid Duracaps
Dilor	Theobid Jr. Duracaps
Dilor-400	Theochron
Duraphyl	Theoclear-80
Dyflex	Theoclear L.A. 130 Cenules
Dyflex 400	Theoclear L.A. 260 Cenules
DYPHILLINE	Theocot
Elixicon	Theo-Dur
Elixomin	Theo-Dur Sprinkle
Elixophyllin	Theolair
Elixophyllin SR	Theolair-SR
Lanophyllin	Theomar
Lixolin	Theon
Lufyllin	THEOPHYLLINE
Lufyllin-400	Theophylline SR
Neothylline	Theo-Sav
Novotriphyl	Theospan SR
OXTRIPHYLLINE	Theo-SR
Palaron	Theostat
Phyllocontin	Theostat 80
Phyllocontin-350	Theo-Time
PMS Theophylline	Theox
Primatene, P Formula	Theovent Long-acting
Protophylline	Thylline
Pulmophylline	T-Phyl
Quibron-T	Truphylline
Quibron-T Dividose	Truxophyllin
Quibron-T/SR Dividose	Uniphyl
Respbid

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? U.S.: High Strength--Yes Low Strength--No Canada: No
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Bronchodilator (xanthine)

Uses

Treatment for bronchial asthma symptoms.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or capsule--Swallow with liquid.
Extended-release tablets or capsules--Swallow each dose whole. If you take regular tablets, you may chew or crush them.
Suppositories--Remove wrapper and moisten suppository with water. Gently insert larger end into rectum. Push well into rectum with finger.
Syrup--Take as directed on bottle.
Enema--Use as directed on label.

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.

Time lapse before drug works:
15 to 30 minutes.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Restlessness, irritability, confusion, black or tarry stool, breathing difficulty, pounding and irregular heartbeat, vomiting blood, delirium, convulsions, rapid pulse, 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:

In case of overdose, see previous entry.

Common:

Headache, irritability, nervousness, nausea, restlessness, insomnia, vomiting, stomach pain.

Infrequent:

• Rash or hives, flushed face, diarrhea, appetite loss, rapid breathing, irregular heartbeat.
• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

Rare:

Frequent urination.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any bronchodilator.
• 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.
• If you have a peptic ulcer.
• If you have high blood pressure or heart disease.
• If you take medication for gout.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons.

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.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Avoid if lightheaded or dizzy. Otherwise, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
No problems expected.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Allopurinol	Increased allopurinol effect.
Aminoglutethimide	Possible decreased bronchodilator
	effect.
Beta-agonists*	Increased effect of both drugs.
Beta-adrenergic	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
Cimetidine	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Ciprofloxin	Increased xanthine bronchodilator in
	blood. Dosage adjustments necessary.
Clarithromycin	Increased concentration of theophylline.
Clindamycin	May increase bronchodilator effect.
Corticosteroids*	Possible increased bronchodilator
	effect.
Erythromycin	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Finasteride	Decreased theophylline effect.
Furosemide	Increased furosemide effect.
Lincomycins*	May increase bronchodilator effect.
Lithium	Decreased lithium effect.
Moricizine	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
Nicotine chewing gum	Possible increased bronchodilator
	effect.
Norfloxacin	Increased xanthine bronchodilator in
	blood. Dosage adjustments necessary.
Phenobarbital	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
Phenytoin	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
Probenecid	Increased effect of dyphylline.
Ranitidine	Possible increased bronchodilator effect
	and toxicity.
Rauwolfia alkaloids*	Rapid heartbeat.
Rifampin	Decreased bronchodilator effect.
Sulfinpyrazine	Increased effect of dyphylline.
Sympathomimetics*	Possible increased bronchodilator
	effect.
Tacrine	Increased bronchodilator effect.
Ticlopidine	Increased theophylline effect.
Troleandomycin	Increased bronchodilator effect.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	None expected.
Caffeine drinks.	Nervousness and insomnia.
Cocaine:	Excess stimulation. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Slightly increased antiasthmatic effect
	of bronchodilator.
	Decreased effect with chronic use.
Tobacco:	Decreased bronchodilator effect.