theophylline

Hi all can anyone tell me in names what this drug is in , we have just heard about a woman who overdosed on it as she could not read the perscription . is it inhalers or tabs many thanks

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Hiya

Its a tablet, the version i had was called slo-phyllin I was on it for one day and ended up in HDU in hospital. Though i understand that some people get on great with it.

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Hi Hudson ,

i know its part of the aminophylline group, but it's theophylline on its own, it is usually in tablet form. The label on the meds box should tell you how many you should take, but the nurse/gp should have advised you how many to take and when. It does come in several strengths too. Also look at the information sheet as this has lots of advice etc. If you err on side of caution if unsure you cant go wrong, seek advice from gp/nurse/pharmacist for advice to allay any fears or concerns. I took uniphyllin and i stopped it as i was getting bad stomach pains, butothers take it and have no probs.

Take care.

sj

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Theophylline is the tablet form - Slophylline, Nuelin, Phyllocontin (may be others but I dont know them of the top of my head)

Aminophyllin is the same drug but given intravenously (ie injection, drip).

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theophylline

thats great im actually on philocontin myself its very sad that someone s meds could cause this just because she was not told exactly how many she could take .

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Theophylline.

Hi there just a wee add on to say Aminophylline can be taken orally as well as i.v. x

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Theophylline, along with others like aminophylline belong to a group of meds called xanthines, which actually is found in caffeine, and shares a similar structural formula. Not enough is found in tea to be of therapeutic use though although certain cocoa beans (Criollo) are reported to have concentrations as high as 3.7mg/g

The use of theophylline is complicated by the fact that it interacts with various drugs, , and that it has a narrow therapeutic index, so its use must be monitored to avoid toxicity. It can also cause nausea, diarrhea, increase in heart rate, arrhythmias. Seizures can also occur in severe cases of toxicity and is considered to be a neurological emergency. . It can reach toxic levels when taken with fatty meals, an effect called dose dumping so theo is rarely prescribed without good reason.

Also Aminophylline is available as an injuction.