What is theophylline drug and what is its use?
Theophylline is used to treat lung diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD, bronchitis and emphysema. Theophylline drug belongs to a family of drugs known as xanthine drugs.
Controlling the symptoms of problems can reduce the amount of time lost at work or school.
To be more effective, theophylline should be taken daily. Theophylline drug works over time and should not be used to solve problems. In case of shortness of breath, according to the treatment, use inhalation drugs that act faster.
How theophylline works
Theophylline works by relaxing the muscles, opening the airways, and reducing the lungs’ response to irritants.
How to use theophylline drug and dosage
Take theophylline orally, with or without food, as directed by your doctor, usually three or four times a day. If taking theophylline makes your stomach upset, you can take this medicine with food. Take the dose of medicine carefully and with special measuring cups. Do not use household spoons to take theophylline because you may not take the prescribed dose.
Do not use household spoons to take theophylline because you may not take the prescribed dose.
Theophylline dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, weight, laboratory tests such as blood theophylline levels, and other medications you are taking. Make sure your doctor or pharmacist is aware of all the medications you are taking. To reduce the risk of side effects, your doctor may start you on a low dose and gradually increase the dose. Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully.
Certain diets such as high protein and low carbohydrate or high carbohydrate and low protein may alter the effects of theophylline. If you have made major changes in your diet, inform your doctor. You may need your doctor to change your dose.
For more effectiveness of theophylline drug, use it regularly. Remember to take the medicine at the same time each day. Do not stop taking theophylline even if you feel better. Do not increase the dose of theophylline arbitrarily, do not use it more than prescribed by the doctor, and consult your doctor before starting to use the drug.
If your asthma symptoms become more severe after taking the medicine, or if you use fast-acting inhalers more than usual or more than the dose prescribed by your doctor, seek help from the emergency medical center.
Consult a pulmonologist for more information on this drug.
Side effects of theophylline
Nausea and vomiting, stomach or abdominal pain, headache, difficulty sleeping, diarrhea, irritability, restlessness, flushing, trembling or increased urination are among the side effects of theophylline drug. If any of these side effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
If the doctor has prescribed theophylline for you, be sure that its benefits outweigh its harms. It is also important to know that most people who have taken theophylline have not experienced serious side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects, such as nausea and vomiting that won’t stop, fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat, muscle cramps, fainting, confusion, or dizziness.
In case of dangerous side effects such as convulsions, seek help from the emergency medical center quickly.
If you faint, get help from the emergency medical center quickly.
It is important to know that a serious allergic reaction to theophylline is rare. However, if you experience a serious allergic reaction such as skin symptoms, itching, swelling (especially in the face, tongue, and throat), severe confusion, and difficulty breathing, seek help from an emergency medical center.
Due to the fact that the list of complications is not complete, you may encounter a complication that is not mentioned. In these cases, consult your doctor or pharmacy doctor.
Precautions for using theophylline
Before using theophylline drug, if you are allergic to this drug or other xanthine drugs such as aminophylline or extriphylline or caffeine, discuss the issue with your doctor or pharmacy doctor. Theophylline drug may contain inactive ingredients that cause allergies or other problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Before using theophylline, inform the doctor of all your medical records and those of your family; Especially history of stomach ulcers, intestinal ulcers, seizures, thyroid disease, heart problems such as any heart failure or irregular heartbeat, liver diseases and high blood pressure.
If you develop an illness or fever while taking theophylline, inform your doctor immediately. You may need your doctor to readjust your dosage.
Theophylline medicine may contain sugar or alcohol. Be careful if you have diabetes, liver disease, or any other condition that requires you to limit or avoid these ingredients in your diet. Feel free to ask your doctor or pharmacy about the use of theophylline.
Before performing any surgery, share the list of all your medications with your doctor or dentist.
Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially rapid and irregular heartbeat and difficulty sleeping. To avoid these problems, careful monitoring of the possibility of side effects and the amount of medicine in the blood is recommended.
Children may also be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug than others. To prevent side effects, careful monitoring of the possibility of side effects and the amount of medicine in the blood is recommended.
Consult your doctor to take theophylline while breastfeeding. If you are pregnant, use theophylline only if necessary and ask your doctor about its benefits and harms. Changes in your body during the last three months of pregnancy may affect the amount of theophylline in the blood. Your doctor is obliged to carefully check and monitor the amount of medicine in the blood and the possibility of side effects and, if necessary, change the dosage of the medicine according to the new conditions.
Theophylline overdose symptoms
If someone has overdosed on theophylline and has symptoms such as fainting or difficulty breathing, call an emergency medical center immediately.
Do not share your medicine with others.
Laboratory tests and medical tests, such as measuring theophylline blood levels, should be performed periodically while taking theophylline. Keep all your medical and lab appointments on time. Consult your doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose of theophylline, take the next dose at the scheduled time. There is no need to take twice the theophylline.
To properly store theophylline, store it at room temperature, away from light, heat and moisture, and out of the reach of children. Also, do not store theophylline in the bathroom. Be careful not to use expired medicine.
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