Theophylline (Uniphyllin)

[JanJan4]

Hi along with other new inhalers and steroids I've been put on Theophylline 300 mg 2 x day following asthma admission.

Side effects are a nightmare trembling, heart pounding, dry mouth.

Anyone else out there suffered with this?

[Tracey1972]

Im allergic to it so can’t go near it

[JanJan4]

Wowzer Tracy getting an allergic reaction to it must've been the pits, side effects are bad enough.

Seeing consul on Monday. Like you I have my 'weepy' moments when get despondent.

Hope you have a reasonable night X

[QuietChest3]

Sorry allergy to it as well but know another person who has some side effects buts thinks the improvement is worth it

[JanJan4 in reply to QuietChest3]

Hi, thanks for reply. Def helped breathing which is stable now. Tapering steroids then hoping consul will reduce Theophylline cos side effects are def slowing recovery down.

[angievere]

I take it. Side effects are unpleasant but they subside if taken regularly and it definitely helps my breathing.

[JanJan4 in reply to angievere]

Hi, thanks for replying. Yep, def helped breathing but yuk side effects 😲 third week now.

[angievere in reply to JanJan4]

You’re on quite a high dose Jan. I’m on 225mg once a day. My student son is on 250mg twice a day but has never had any side effects! But if he misses one dose by mistake it affects him within 12 hours.

[JanJan4 in reply to angievere]

Hi, Angievere, yep feel as though being overdosed. Asthma stable now, PF staying up but these side effects are not good at all. Seeing consul on Mon, looking forward to a chat with him. Feel as though been eating loads of coffee beans!!

[angievere in reply to JanJan4]

I was going to suggest you raise it with your doctor. Good luck and I hope things improve for you. xx

[Mywalti]

Hi. They started me on it in hospital but right from the start gave me terrible indigestion and that's even taking a stomach protector. After 2 days they took me off it.

[Sparkimoore]

Hi Jan Jan! I’ve been on Theophilline for years now, along with a plethora of other drugs n inhalers for severe asthma. I had no side effects from starting Theoplilline. They have to list everything but it doesn’t mean you will suffer from any of them. We all react differently.. Give it a go! Good luck!

[JanJan4]

Thanks Sparkimore, 3rd week of taking it, no tum probs as also taking tum protector but trembling, heart racing, dry mouth, difficulty sleeping. Feel as though overdosed on coffee!! On 300mg 2x day.

[Elderasthmatic in reply to JanJan4]

Seems this is an unusually high dose. Check it out for yourself

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador]

Been on it for about 4 years - 450mg Phyllocontin twice daily. Never had any side effects but will notice in a day or two.if I miss a dose (varies how long) - I like it!

My cons hates it and says most people want to come off due to side.effects, but I really don't want to as I already have poor contro l and pred often doesn't do much. Plus I have way fewer.side effects with Phyllocontin vs pred!

[JanJan4 in reply to Lysistrata]

Hi Lysistrata, my pharmacist said Phyllocontin not quite as strong as Theophylline and maybe Consul with change to that. Great that it works for you with no side effects, better than all the weight gain etc that Pred causes.

[Lysistrata Administrator Community Ambassador in reply to JanJan4]

From what I understand the dosage is a little different but not sure how they stack up against each other dose for dose. People seem to process theophylline/aminophylline very individually with some reacting to not much and others needing a lot. Even small dosage adjustments can make a difference so guessing this is why people stick with one brand or the other -- though not sure there was any particular logic to why I got Phyllocontin vs Uniphyllin to start.

I have an idea (but don't have the source so not 100% sure) that aminophylline which is a slightly altered synthetic form of theophylline is a little more stable than theophylline and therefore preferred by some drs. It (aminophylline) can be given IV for acute asthma though some doctors don't seem to like it.

[JanJan4 in reply to Lysistrata]

Interesting thanks. Pharmacist also said there are many meds that can't be taken with Theophylline and that it can be toxic so bloods have to be checked.

Cost most likely comes into the equation when docs are prescribing nowadays.

Have a good weekend.

[Hidden]

Im on 300 X 2 a day! Had similar side effects for first 6 weeks then settled. Makes a huge difference to my breathing so persevere the side effects if it does with you!

[JanJan4 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Huggins, thanks, that's reassuring. Maybe another 3 weeks to go! At least I'm half way through if it settles as it did with you. Actually, not been as tremble or heart pound today ☺

[silver_rabbit]

took theophyline many years ago. Had to get off of it because the doctors kept having to up the dose to help me. The only time I had a problem was when I took to much, mistakenly thinking that more would help my flare up (forgive me I was young). I actually liked taking it.

[JanJan4]

Hi Silver_rabbit,

Oh to have that young innocence again! ☺

Theophyllne def good for lungs but rest of body does feel as though I've far too many strong coffees. I think the dose is too high. Seeing Consul on Mon bout it.