$Unique_ID{BRK01822}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{AMINOPHYLLINE}
$Subject{aminophylline (various manufacturers)
Amoline (Major)
Phyllocontin (Purdue Frederick)
Somophyllin (Fisons)
Somophyllin-DF (Fisons)
Truphylline (G & W)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


AMINOPHYLLINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     aminophylline (various manufacturers)
     Amoline (Major)
     Phyllocontin (Purdue Frederick)
     Somophyllin (Fisons)
     Somophyllin-DF (Fisons)
     Truphylline (G & W)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Bronchodilator
INGREDIENT:
     aminophylline (theophylline as the ethylenediamine salt)
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (100 mg and 200 mg)
     Controlled-release tablets (225 mg)
     Oral liquid (105 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
     Suppositories (250 mg and 500 mg)
     Rectal solution (300 mg per 5 ml)
STORAGE:
     Aminophylline tablets, liquid, and rectal solution should be stored at
       room temperature in tightly closed containers.  This medication should
       never be frozen.  The suppositories should be stored in a cool place.
       They can be refrigerated if they become too soft.

USES

     Aminophylline is prescribed to treat breathing problems (wheezing and
shortness of breath) caused by asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema.  It relaxes
the smooth muscles of the bronchial airways (breathing tubes), thus opening
the air passages to the lungs and allowing air to move in and out more easily.

TREATMENT

     Aminophylline 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).
     Aminophylline works best when the level of the medication 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.
     The controlled-release tablets should be swallowed whole (if the tablet
is scored for breaking, you can break it along these lines).  Chewing,
crushing, or crumbling the tablets destroys their sustained-release activity
and possibly increases the side effects.
     Doses of the oral liquid should be measured carefully with a 5-ml
measuring spoon or a cup specially designed for that purpose.  Ordinary
kitchen spoons are not accurate enough.
     To use the suppository form of this medication, remove the foil wrapper
and moisten the suppository with water (if it is too soft to insert,
refrigerate it for half an hour or run cold water over it before removing the
wrapper).  Lie on your left side with your right knee bent.  Push the
suppository into the rectum, pointed end first.  Lie still for a few minutes.
Try to avoid having a bowel movement for at least an hour after inserting the
suppository.  Aminophylline suppositories can be irritating to rectal tissue.
Therefore, they should not be used for prolonged periods.
     Aminophylline rectal solution is packaged with detailed patient
instructions.  Be sure to read the instructions before using this medication.
If crystals appear in the solution, redissolve the crystals by partially
immersing the bottle in warm water.  The syringe should be washed after each
application.  To prevent rectal irritation, do not use this solution
continuously for longer than 24 to 36 hours.
     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 of this medication
unless your doctor has directed you to do so.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Diarrhea, dizziness, feeling faint, 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; muscle
twitches; palpitations; rash; severe abdominal pain; or unusual weakness.

INTERACTIONS

     Aminophylline interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. It can increase the effects (increased urination) of furosemide.
     2. Reserpine in combination with aminophylline can cause a rapid heart
rate.
     3. Beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol,
pindolol, propranolol, timolol) can decrease the effectiveness of
aminophylline.
     4. Aminophylline can increase the side effects of the following products:
over-the-counter (nonprescription) sinus, cough, cold, asthma, allergy, and
diet preparations; digoxin; and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as
warfarin).
     5. Aminophylline can decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin and lithium.
     6. Phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and rifampin can increase the
elimination of aminophylline from the body, thus decreasing its effectiveness.
     7. Cimetidine, erythromycin, troleandomycin, oral contraceptives (birth
control pills), allopurinol, and thiabendazole can decrease the elimination of
aminophylline from the body, thus increasing its side effects.
     8. Antidiarrheal medications prevent the absorption of aminophylline.
Therefore, at least one hour should separate doses of these two types of
medications.
     Before starting to take aminophylline, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
any of the medications you are currently taking, especially any of those
listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about any unusual or allergic reactions you have had
to medications, especially to aminophylline, theophylline, 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 the action of this drug.  Be
sure to tell your doctor if you smoke.  Also, do not suddenly stop smoking
without informing your doctor.
     * High fever, diarrhea, the flu, and influenza vaccinations can affect
the action of this drug.  You should tell your doctor about episodes of high
fever or prolonged diarrhea.  Before having any vaccinations, especially those
to prevent the flu, tell your doctor that you are taking this medication.
     * Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages (coffee,
cocoa, tea, and cola drinks) and avoid eating large amounts of chocolate.
These products may increase the side effects of aminophylline.
     * Do not change your diet without first consulting your doctor.  Eating
charbroiled foods or a high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet can affect the
action of this drug.
     * Before having surgery or other medical or dental treatment, tell your
doctor or dentist you are taking this drug.
     * Before taking any over-the-counter (nonprescription) asthma, allergy,
cough, cold, sinus, or diet products, ask your doctor or pharmacist.  These
products may add to the side effects of aminophylline.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Although
aminophylline appears to be safe during pregnancy, studies in humans have not
been conducted.  Birth defects have been observed in the offspring of animals
that received large doses of this drug during pregnancy.  Also, tell your
doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of aminophylline
pass into breast milk and may cause irritability, fretfulness, or insomnia in
nursing infants.

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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.
