Indications
Aminophylline is used to relieve and prevent wheezing and breathlessness in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema). Tablets are used for long-term control when other inhalers are not enough. The injection is used in hospital for severe asthma attacks or severe COPD flare-ups that do not respond to other treatment.
How It Works
Aminophylline is a form of Theophylline combined with ethylenediamine, which helps it dissolve. Theophylline relaxes the muscles around the airways so they open wider, reduces airway inflammation a little, and helps the breathing muscles work. It belongs to the methylxanthine group, like caffeine.
Dosage and Administration
Tablets: the dose is set by the doctor for each person, based on body weight, age, smoking, other medicines and sometimes blood level tests, because the gap between a helpful and a harmful dose is small. Take exactly as prescribed, after food with water, at evenly spaced times. Do not change the dose or switch between brands without medical advice. Injection: given slowly into a vein by a doctor or nurse in hospital, with monitoring.
Interactions
- Many medicines raise its blood level and the risk of toxicity, including Ciprofloxacin, Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Fluvoxamine, Cimetidine, Allopurinol, Verapamil, Propranolol and oral contraceptives.
- Rifampicin, Carbamazepine, Phenytoin, Phenobarbital and smoking lower its level; stopping smoking can raise it.
- High doses of Salbutamol, corticosteroids and diuretics, taken with it, can lower potassium.
- Non-selective beta-blockers such as Propranolol can cause airway narrowing.
- Avoid other theophylline products and large amounts of caffeine.
Contraindications
- Allergy to theophylline, aminophylline or ethylenediamine.
- Porphyria.
- Use with another theophylline-containing medicine.
- Injection: already taking theophylline or aminophylline, unless blood levels are checked first.
Side Effects
Common effects are nausea, stomach upset, headache, restlessness, trouble sleeping, shakiness and a fast heartbeat. These may mean the level is too high.
Get urgent medical help for repeated vomiting, a very fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain, fits, confusion, severe agitation, or signs of a serious allergic reaction such as a widespread rash or difficulty breathing. Also seek urgent care if breathing gets worse despite treatment.
Pregnancy and Lactation
It may be used in pregnancy when the doctor decides the benefit is greater than the risk; blood levels may need checking. It passes into breast milk and can make the baby irritable; tell the doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Precautions and Warnings
- Use with care in heart disease, high blood pressure, overactive thyroid, epilepsy, stomach ulcer, liver disease, fever, and in older people.
- Tell the doctor if you start or stop smoking, or have a high fever or viral illness, as levels can change.
- It is not a quick reliever for a sudden attack; keep using your reliever inhaler as advised.
- Tell every doctor and pharmacist that you take it before starting any new medicine.
Overdose
Overdose is dangerous and can cause severe vomiting, agitation, fast or irregular heartbeat, low potassium, fits and collapse, sometimes hours later. Get emergency medical help straight away.
Therapeutic Class
Methylxanthine bronchodilator.
Storage
Store below 30°C in a dry place, away from light and out of the reach of children. Injection: do not freeze, and keep in the carton until use.
Prepared by the Oshud Alo team from standard drug references. For information only; always follow your doctor's advice.