$Unique_ID{BRK02151}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{THEOPHYLLINE}
$Subject{Accurbron (Merrell Dow)
Aerolate (Fleming)
Aquaphyllin (Ferndale)
Asmalix (Century)
Bronkodyl (Breon)
Constant-T (Geigy)
Elixicon (Berlex)
Elixomin (Cenci)
Elixophyllin (Berlex)
Lanophyllin (Lannett)
Lodrane (Poythress)
Quibron-T (Mead Johnson)
Respbid (Boehringer Ingelheim)
Slo-bid Gyrocaps (Rorer)
Slo-Phyllin (Rorer)
Somophyllin-T (Fisons)
Sustaire (Pfipharmics)
Theo-24 (Searle)
Theobid (Glaxo)
Theochron (Forest)
Theoclear (Central)
Theo-Dur (Key)
Theolair (Riker)
Theon (Bock)
theophylline (various manufacturers)
Theospan (Laser)
Theostat (Laser)
Theo-Time (Major)
Theovent (Schering)
Uniphyl (Purdue Frederick)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Theo-Dur 200*0215101.scf
Theo-Dur 300*0215102.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


THEOPHYLLINE
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Accurbron (Merrell Dow)
     Aerolate (Fleming)
     Aquaphyllin (Ferndale)
     Asmalix (Century)
     Bronkodyl (Breon)
     Constant-T (Geigy)
     Elixicon (Berlex)
     Elixomin (Cenci)
     Elixophyllin (Berlex)
     Lanophyllin (Lannett)
     Lodrane (Poythress)
     Quibron-T (Mead Johnson)
     Respbid (Boehringer Ingelheim)
     Slo-bid Gyrocaps (Rorer)
     Slo-Phyllin (Rorer)
     Somophyllin-T (Fisons)
     Sustaire (Pfipharmics)
     Theo-24 (Searle)
     Theobid (Glaxo)
     Theochron (Forest)
     Theoclear (Central)
     Theo-Dur (Key)
     Theolair (Riker)
     Theon (Bock)
     theophylline (various manufacturers)
     Theospan (Laser)
     Theostat (Laser)
     Theo-Time (Major)
     Theovent (Schering)
     Uniphyl (Purdue Frederick)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Bronchodilator
INGREDIENT:
     theophylline
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (100 mg, 125 mg, 200 mg, 225 mg, 250 mg, and 300 mg)
     Capsules (100 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg)
     Sustained-release tablets and capsules (50 mg, 60 mg, 65 mg, 75 mg, 100
       mg, 125 mg, 130 mg, 200 mg, 250 mg, 260 mg, 300 mg, 400 mg, and 500 mg)
     Oral liquid (80 mg, 150 mg, and 160 mg per 15-ml spoonful, some with
       alcohol of varying amounts, including 1%, 7.5%, and 20%)
     Oral suspension (300 mg per 15-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Theophylline tablets, capsules, liquid, and suspension should be stored
       at room temperature.  It should also be kept in tightly closed,
       light-resistant containers.  This medication should never be frozen.
       Discard any outdated medication.

USES

     Theophylline is prescribed to treat breathing problems (wheezing and
shortness of breath) caused by asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.  It relaxes
the smooth muscle of the bronchial airways (breathing tubes), which opens the
air passages to the lungs and allows air to move in and out more easily.

TREATMENT

     Theophylline should be taken on an empty stomach 30 to 60 minutes before
a meal or two hours after a meal.  If this medication causes stomach
irritation, however, you can take it with food or with a full glass of water
or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Antidiarrheal medications and some antacids prevent the absorption of
theophylline from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, at least one hour
should separate doses of one of these medications and theophylline.
     The sustained-release tablets and capsules should be swallowed whole.
Chewing, crushing, or crumbling the tablets or capsules destroys their
sustained-release activity and possibly increases the side effects.  If the
tablet is scored for breaking, you can break it along these lines.  If the
regular capsules are too large to swallow, they can be opened and the contents
mixed with jam, jelly, or applesauce.  The mixture should then be swallowed
without chewing.
     The theophylline sprinkle capsules can also be taken whole, or the
capsule can be opened and the beads sprinkled on a spoonful of soft food, such
as applesauce or pudding.  The sprinkles should be swallowed immediately
without chewing the beads.  The contents of the capsule should not be
subdivided in order to ensure equal doses.
     If you are using the suspension form of this medication, the bottle
should be shaken well just before measuring each dose.  The contents tend to
settle on the bottom of the bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container
to distribute the medication evenly and equalize the doses.  Each dose of the
oral liquid or suspension should be measured carefully with a 5-ml measuring
spoon or a dose cup designed for that purpose.  Ordinary kitchen spoons are
not accurate enough to ensure that you receive the proper dose.
     Theophylline works best when the level of the medicine in your
bloodstream is kept constant.  It is best, therefore, to take it at evenly
spaced intervals day and night.  For example, if you are to take four doses a
day, the doses should be spaced six hours apart.  Try to take your medication
at the same time(s) each day.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose,
take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the
next dose.  In that case, do not take the missed dose at all; just return to
your regular dosing schedule.  Do not double the next dose.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, dizziness, flushing, headache, heartburn, increased urination,
insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, stomach pain,
or vomiting.  These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts to the
medication.
     If you feel dizzy or light headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
black, tarry stools; confusion; convulsions; difficulty in breathing;
fainting; muscle twitches; palpitations; rash; severe abdominal pain; or
unusual weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Theophylline interacts with several other types of drugs:
     1. It can increase the diuretic effect of furosemide.
     2. Concurrent use of reserpine and theophylline can cause a rapid heart
rate.
     3. Beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol,
labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol)
can decrease the effectiveness of theophylline.
     4. Theophylline can increase the side effects of over-the-counter
(nonprescription) sinus, cough, cold, asthma, allergy, and diet products;
digoxin; and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin).
     5. Theophylline can decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin and lithium.
     6. Phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and rifampin can increase the
elimination of theophylline from the body, decreasing its effectiveness.
     7. Cimetidine, erythromycin, troleandomycin, oral contraceptives (birth
control pills), allopurinol, and thiabendazole can decrease the elimination of
theophylline from the body and increase its side effects.
     8. Verapamil can cause an increase in the effects of theophylline.
     Before you start to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine,
dyphylline, oxtriphylline, or theobromine.
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had an enlarged
prostate gland, fibrocystic breast disease, heart disease, kidney disease, low
or high blood pressure, liver disease, stomach ulcers, or thyroid disease.
     * Cigarette or marijuana smoking may affect this drug's action.  BE SURE
TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you smoke.  Also, do not quit smoking without informing
your doctor.
     * High fever, diarrhea, the flu, and influenza vaccinations can affect
the action of this drug.  Therefore, be sure to tell your doctor if you
experience any episodes of high fever or prolonged diarrhea while taking this
drug.  Before having any vaccinations, especially those to prevent the flu, BE
SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR that you are taking this medication.
     * Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages (coffee,
cocoa, tea, or cola drinks), and avoid eating large amounts of chocolate.
These products may increase the side effects of theophylline.
     * Do not change your diet without first consulting your doctor.  A
high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet or char-broiled foods may affect the
action of this drug.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Before taking any over-the-counter (nonprescription) asthma, allergy,
cough, cold, sinus, or diet product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.  These
products may add to the side effects of theophylline.
     * Do not change brands or dosage forms of this medication without your
doctor's permission.  If your medication refill looks different, check with
your doctor or pharmacist.
     * The elderly and young children may be more sensitive to the effects of
theophylline.
     * Your doctor may require you to have periodic blood tests to be sure
your medication is working properly.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although theophylline
appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
conducted.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small
amounts of theophylline pass into breast milk and may cause irritability,
fretfulness, or insomnia in nursing infants.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
