Uniphyllin

[Lyngal]

Hi all I've just been given Uniphyllin by my gp today to see if it helps has anyone heard of it x

[healthwish]

I was given this drug but after 2 days I had a very fast heart rate went to a and e and they said it was a side effect if the drug so I had to stop it. Everyones reaction to drugs can differ so this might not happen to you. Think u need regular blood checks if u take this drug but nit 100% sure. Maybe someone could clarify this.

[Mark-f]

Been on this many years at max dose 400mg twice daily .... it's a bronchial dilator ... relaxing the muscles in the airway ... similar to blue inhaler !!

Good luck, hope it helps

[Wheezycat]

It sounds similar to theophylline, which my then six year old daughter was on for some time, maybe a couple of years. A slow release tablet form reliever, I seem to remember . She was fine with it, but eventually grew out of it. Her form worked better for children. It was to reduce overnight symptoms. But, as said, that was theophylline.

[angievere]

My son has taken it for years, really helps. Good luck.

[Arianasarah866]

I've taken up to 600mg twice a day of uniphyllin. You'll have your levels tested in your blood to get the right amount for you. It does make my heart race and can make me sick and headachy so watch for side effects!

[risabel59]

It can be really helpful, a couple of things to know, you need to have a blood test about a week after you start taking it, and thereafter every couple of months.

Uniphyllin is a Theophylline and Theophylline has a very narrow therapeutic range which varies from person to person. If the dose is too low you will have no benefit from it. If it is too high you can get terrible side effects and it is toxic. That being said it can be a great drug so you should definitely give it a try for a few weeks and see if it suits you.

R

[shirl13]

Have been on phyllocontin for 30 years 450mg twice a day, slow release so take every 12 hours. Was told if you're admitted to let them know you're on it as they have to see how much is in your system as it works on a toxic level. Uniphyllin contains theophylline (apparently something similar is in coffee - I have very strong coffee after my morning meds and find it does help) and is a trade name as far as I am aware

[Jones1234]

I take this morning and night, since doing so I have came of oral steroids. So far so good. They can make your hands a little bit shakey. But I would rather shakey hands then getting bloated from steroids! Just give them a chance to see if you respond well x

[AbsTan]

It has helped me loads. Had side effects to start but they calmed down. Was careful with caffeine to start as increased side effects. It has been a wonder drug for me

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador]

I was put on it recently worked brilliantly for my asthma, although 9/10 days in got some really bad side effects and got taken off of it again, however it worked so well I have asked to try a different brand/dose.

Make sure you get a blood test in 5 days time (4-6 hours after you've taken the pill) and that they test for theophylline levels! They HCA that took my blood sent it for a liver screen and now GP not happy to try again until my consultant has seen me because he doesn't have a baseline to go from!

Also make sure you read the side effects so you can spot signs of toxicity!

Hope that helps and that it works well for you!!! X

[Lyngal]

Thanks everyone for you good advice I'm willing to try anything they throw at me at the moment xx

[twiddles2]

I've been on it for about 20 years. It worked for me. No one told me about toxicity. Can someone tell me about it.

[EmmaF91 Community Ambassador in reply to twiddles2]

There is a narrow therapeutic margin for theophylline (uniphyllin) to be effective within the blood, too low its probs doing nothing, too high you're at risk of side effects and seizures if it's really high.

They call it toxicity when the level of theophylline is high in your blood and usually either lower your dose or remove you from them drug. They normally take a baseline measurement 5 days after starting to see where you're at, then if you have any side effects later on or it doesn't seem to be working (i.e. too low a dose) they can remeasure and adjust accordingly (unfortunately for me the HCA taking my blood didn't send it for theophylline levels, so when I got some bad side effects later that day and the next they could only take me off of it until I next see my consultant and get advice from him, not impressed cause it was working brilliantly! Also didn't get BT til day 9 cause of Easter)

I don't know if you're meant to get regular BT or not when on it because I wasn't on it for long enough, however if it's working for you and you're not getting any side effects I definitely wouldn't worry. Just be aware of the signs/symptoms (nausea/vomiting, tremors, dizziness, blurred vision, fast HR, palpitations etc) to look out for and see your GP if you start getting them/go to hospital if really severe; I always take the approach of if in doubt seek help (i.e. 111/asthma Uk phone call/GP/hosp). If you're worried about not knowing what to look out for, or if you haven't had BT speak to your asthma nurse/GP for advice!

Hope that helps explain it a bit x

[M-D-F]

I've been on them for quite some time, I was on 400 now 200, I do recall feeling strange at the beginning and I have a blood test yearly.