Theophylline

[PeterK1]

Has anybody else been prescribed this for COPD, Emphysema. If so what do you think, have you had any of the bad side effects ?

nhs.uk/medicine-guides/page...

[PollyP]

Hi PeterK, Theophyline? Yes I have been taking it for a few years now in the form of Phyllocontin 225mg, which is a lower dose and it does made a difference and I would be reluctant to drop it. It does have a therapeutic lower and upper level so I have my blood level checked every year. All good so far.

You could try it and see if it helps you ?

[Hidden in reply to PollyP]

I took it for years as a bronchodilator and seem to remember that it had some side effects like Ventolin. Too much ofbit could makr you a bit trembly etc. but that was years ago a d my memory isn't that reliable. My phone won't let me correct so sorry for all the typos. Good luck with your fight for a transplant !

[notlocal]

Yes. About a month ago I was prescribed it in 400mg form, two a day. It was my fault as I'd heard about it and asked my consultant for a scrip. I was trembling and restless, my heart rate shot up by 20 bpm and my stomach wasn't good. After 36 hours I had to stop and they now sit in my meds box unused. Having said that, many here describe no ill effects. Oh, and they didn't affect my breathing in the slightest!

[PollyP in reply to notlocal]

Blimey notlocal that is a BIG dose to begin with! No wonder it produced so many side effects! I began on 225 mgm and yep it has made my heart beat a bit faster, tho that is a bit of trade off between better breathing and quicker heartbeats! I would like to take a break from it in the summer when lungs are good but my GP is less keen to do that ?

Maybe rethink and begin a lower dose?

[notlocal in reply to PollyP]

Heh Polly, it was a bad couple of days! I'll stay clear for the time being but keep your advice in mind if things get worse (problem is that that things always get worse with copd!)

[PollyP in reply to notlocal]

Take of care of yourself eh?

[Dmactds]

I just kind of skimmed over the page you sent on the medicine and it sounds like something to stay away from if at all possible. I don't take it for my COPD and would probably ask my doctor to find something else after all those warnings on that page.