Theopylline and asthma

Theophylline is one of the groups of medications used for managing asthma symptoms and it is available as short-acting and long-acting forms. It acts on the smooth muscles surrounding the airways and will help them relax leading to a dilation of the bronchial lumen. Apart from the shortness of breath and chest tightness caused by asthma, theophylline is also useful in managing similar symptoms caused by chronic bronchitis, emphysema and other lung diseases.

 

Use of theophylline in asthma

Although theophylline is used sparingly in asthma due to its requirement for blood level monitoring, it may be a useful drug in certain instances. It is also cost effective in managing asthma patients. The drug is available as tablets, syrup or even as injections. There are different brands of theophylline available in the market and it should always be taken under the guidance of a medical practitioner. 

Side effects of theophylline

Theophylline can give rise to several different side effects with regular dosing although the side effects can be augmented or made apparent with higher doses or following interacting with other medicines and foods. In general, those who take theophylline could complain of nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach upset, headaches and muscle cramps. In addition, rapid or irregular heartbeat, nervous feeling and hyperactivity could also manifest. In some instances, it is possible for patients to develop seizures and skin rashes although these side effects are more common when the patients take excessive doses or are taking other medications, which interact with theophylline.

Special precautions to be taken

When taking theophylline, it is necessary for anyone to disclose the other medications that he or she has been taking to the doctor or to the pharmacist in order to avoid cross-reactions. Such reactions can be dangerous and may reduce the effectiveness of theophylline. Among the medications that are known to react with theophylline, seizure medicines, antibiotics and ulcer treatments are the most notable. When taking theophylline, it is advisable to take it one hour before or two hours after a meal with a full glass of water. In general, doctors prescribe theophylline to be taken every 8 hours or else twice a day. At the same time, if a person is exposed to cigarette smoke both directly or in-directly, it may affect the action of theophylline and may lead to side effects and ineffective treatment.

While medicines are the ones that commonly interact and cause side effects or reduce efficacy of theophylline, caffeine containing foods and drinks can also interact with theophylline. The reason being that theophylline is structurally similar to caffeine and therefore caffeinated drinks and foods such as tea, coffee, cocoa and chocolate may augment or increase the effect of theophylline.