Teofilin

Uses

What is Teofilin (theophylline) used for?

Teofilin is used to prevent and treat wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness caused by asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases. It relaxes air passages in the lungs, making it easier to breathe.

Teofilin is sometimes used to treat breathing problems in premature infants. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this drug for your baby’s condition.

How should I take Teofilin (theophylline)?

Teofilin comes as a tablet, capsule, solution, and syrup to take by mouth. It usually is taken every 6, 8, 12, or 24 hours. Take Teofilin exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Take this medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Do not chew or crush the extended-release (long-acting) tablets; swallow them whole. Extended-release capsules (e.g., Theo-Dur Sprinkles) may be swallowed whole or opened and the contents mixed with soft food and swallowed without chewing.

Teofilin controls symptoms of asthma and other lung diseases but does not cure them. Continue to take Teofilin even if you feel well. Do not stop taking Teofilin without talking to your doctor.

How do I store Teofilin (theophylline)?

Teofilin is best stored at room temperature away from direct light and moisture. To prevent drug damage, you should not store Teofilin in the bathroom or the freezer. There may be different brands of Teofilin that may have different storage needs. It is important to always check the product package for instructions on storage, or ask your pharmacist. For safety, you should keep all medicines away from children and pets.

You should not flush Teofilin down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. It is important to properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Precautions & warnings

What should I know before using Teofilin (theophylline)?

Before taking Teofilin, tell your doctor if:

• You are allergic to Teofilin or any other drugs.
• You use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of Teofilin.
• Drinking or eating foods high in caffeine, like coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate, may increase the side effects caused by Teofilin. Avoid large amounts of these substances while you are taking Teofilin.

Is it safe during pregnancy or breastfeeding?

There are no adequate studies in women for determining risk when using Teofilin during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. Please always consult with your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before taking Teofilin. Teofilin is pregnancy risk category C, according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

FDA pregnancy risk category reference below:

• A=No risk
• B=No risk in some studies
• C=There may be some risk
• D=Positive evidence of risk
• X=Contraindicated
• N=Unknown

Side effects

What side effects can occur from Teofilin (theophylline)?

Side effects can occur when using Teofilin including:

• Upset stomach
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Irritability

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• Vomiting
• Increased or rapid heart rate
• Irregular heartbeat
• Seizures
• Skin rash

Not everyone experiences these side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about a side-effect, please consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Interactions

What drugs may interact with Teofilin (theophylline)?

Teofilin may interact with other drugs that you are currently taking, which can change how your drug works or increase your risk for serious side effects. To avoid any potential drug interactions, you should keep a list of all the drugs you are using (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. For your safety, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drugs without your doctor’s approval.

Products may interact with this drug, including:

• Allopurinol (Zyloprim)
• Azithromycin (Zithromax)
• Carbamazepine (Tegretol)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
• Clarithromycin (Biaxin)
• Diuretics (water pills)
• Erythromycin
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Oral contraceptives
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Prednisone (Deltasone)
• Propranolol (Inderal)
• Rifampin (Rifadin)
• Tetracycline (Sumycin)
• Ephedrine
• Epinephrine
• Phenylephrine
• Phenylpropanolamine
• Pseudoephedrine

Does food or alcohol interact with Teofilin (theophylline)?

Teofilin (theophylline) may interact with food or alcohol by altering the way the drug works or increase the risk for serious side effects. Please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist any potential food or alcohol interactions before using this drug.

What health conditions may interact with Teofilin (theophylline)?

Teofilin may interact with your health condition. This interaction may worsen your health condition or alter the way the drug works. It is important to always let your doctor and pharmacist know all the health conditions you currently have.

Tell your doctor if you have:

• Seizures
• Ulcers
• Heart disease
• An overactive or underactive thyroid gland
• High blood pressure
• Liver disease
• A history of alcohol abuse

Dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for any medical advice. You should ALWAYS consult with your doctor or pharmacist before using Teofilin (theophylline).

What is the dose of Teofilin (theophylline) for an adult?

Usual adult dose for asthma – acute

Loading dose: 5 mg/kg loading dose (patient not receiving Teofilin or aminophylline).

Maintenance dose

• Otherwise healthy nonsmoking adult: 10 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 900 mg/day.
• Otherwise healthy adult smoker: 16 mg/kg/day.
• Patient with congestive heart failure or cor pulmonale: 5 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 400 mg/day.

Usual adult dose for asthma – maintenance

Loading dose: 5 mg/kg loading dose (patient not receiving Teofilin or aminophylline).

Maintenance dose

• Otherwise healthy nonsmoking adult: 10 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 900 mg/day.
• Otherwise healthy adult smoker: 16 mg/kg/day.
• Patient with congestive heart failure or cor pulmonale: 5 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 400 mg/day.

Usual geriatric dose for asthma – acute

• Loading dose: 5 mg/kg loading dose (patient not receiving Teofilin or aminophylline).
• Otherwise healthy, nonsmokers: 10 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 900 mg/day
• Patient with congestive heart failure, cor pulmonale, and/or liver dysfunction: 5 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 400 mg/day.

Usual geriatric dose for asthma – maintenance

• Loading dose: 5 mg/kg loading dose (patient not receiving Teofilin or aminophylline).
• Otherwise healthy, nonsmokers: 10 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 900 mg/day
• Patient with congestive heart failure, cor pulmonale, and/or liver dysfunction: 5 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 400 mg/day.

What is the dose of Teofilin (theophylline) for a child?

Usual pediatric dose for asthma – acute

Loading dose:

• If no Teofilin has been administered in the previous 24 hours: 5 mg/kg loading dose to achieve a serum concentration of about 10 mcg/ml; loading doses should be given using a rapidly absorbed oral product not a sustained release product.
• If Teofilin has been administered in the previous 24 hours: 2.5 mg/kg Teofilin may be given in emergencies when serum concentrations are not available.

Maintenance dose:

• Less than 42 days: 4 mg/kg/day orally.
  42 days to 181 days: 10 mg/kg/day orally. Alternate dosing: [(0.2 x age in weeks) + 5] x kg = 24hour oral dose in milligrams.
• 6 months less than 12 months: 12 to 18 mg/kg/day. Alternate dosing: [(0.2 x age in weeks) + 5] x kg = 24hour oral dose in milligrams.
• 1 year to 8 years: 20 to 24 mg/kg/day.
• 9 years to 11 years: 16 mg/kg/day.
• 12 years to 15 years: 13 mg/kg/day.
• 16 years or older: 10 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 900 mg/day.

Usual pediatric dose for asthma – maintenance

Loading dose:

• If no Teofilin has been administered in the previous 24 hours: 5 mg/kg loading dose to achieve a serum concentration of about 10 mcg/ml; loading doses should be given using a rapidly absorbed oral product not a sustained release product.
• If Teofilin has been administered in the previous 24 hours: 2.5 mg/kg Teofilin may be given in emergencies when serum concentrations are not available.

Maintenance dose:

• less than 42 days: 4 mg/kg/day orally.
• 42 days to 181 days: 10 mg/kg/day orally. Alternate dosing: [(0.2 x age in weeks) + 5] x kg = 24hour oral dose in milligrams.
• 6 months less than 12 months: 12 to 18 mg/kg/day. Alternate dosing: [(0.2 x age in weeks) + 5] x kg = 24hour oral dose in milligrams.
• 1 year to 8 years: 20 to 24 mg/kg/day.
• 9 years to 11 years: 16 mg/kg/day.
• 12 years to 15 years: 13 mg/kg/day.
• 16 years or older: 10 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 900 mg/day.

Usual pediatric dose for apnea of prematurity

Loading dose: 4.6 mg/kg/dose.

Maintenance:

• Premature neonates: Postnatal age less than 24 days: 1 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours.
• Premature neonates: Postnatal age 24 or more days: 1.5 mg/kg/dose every 12 hours.
• Full term infants: Total daily dose (mg) = [(0.2 x age in weeks) +5] x (weight in kg); divide dose into 3 equal amounts and administer at 8 hour intervals.

Alternative dosing:

Loading dose: 5 to 6 mg/kg/dose.

Maintenance: 2 to 6 mg/kg/day divided every 8 to 12 hours.

Liver dysfunction:

Loading dose: 5 mg/kg loading dose (patient not receiving Teofilin or aminophylline).

Maintenance dose: 5 mg/kg/day. Do not exceed 400 mg/day.

How is Teofilin (theophylline) available?

Teofilin is available in the following dosage forms and strengths:

• Capsule 100mg, 200mg
• Syrup 50mg/ml
• Tablet 100mg, 125mg, 200mg, 250 mg, 300mg
• Solution 27mg/ 5ml, 50mg/ 5ml
• Intravenous 0,4 mg/ ml (400mg), 0,8 mg/ml (400 and 800 mg); 1,6 mg/ml (400 and 800 mg); 2 mg/ml (200 mg); 3,2 mg/ml (800 mg)

What should I do in case of an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or an overdose, call your local emergency services or go to your nearest emergency room.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose of Teofilin, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your regular dose as scheduled. Do not take a double dose.