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| Pronunciation |
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 (thee
OFF i lin
salts) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Aerolate®; Aerolate III®; Aerolate
JR®; Aerolate SR®; Aminophyllin™;
Aquaphyllin®; Asmalix®; Bronkodyl®;
Choledyl®; Constant-T®; Duraphyl™;
Elixophyllin®; Elixophyllin® SR; LaBID®;
Phyllocontin®; Quibron®-T; Quibron®-T/SR;
Respbid®; Slo-bid™; Slo-Phyllin®;
Sustaire®; Theo-24®; Theobid®; Theochron®;
Theoclear® L.A.; Theo-Dur®; Theodur-Sprinkle®;
Theolair™; Theon®; Theospan®-SR; Theovent®;
Truphylline® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Bronchodilator; Theophylline Derivative |
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used to treat breathing problems. These can be seen
in asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, chronic bronchitis, and
emphysema.
- It can be used in premature infants who stop
breathing.
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| How does it work? |
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- Theophylline salts relaxes lung muscles.
- It makes the airways more resistant to irritants.
- It strengthens the
diaphragm.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- Take on an empty stomach. Take 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals.
Some sustained-release products should not be taken with food.
- Swallow enteric-coated and sustained-release forms whole. Do not chew,
break, or crush.
- A liquid (syrup, elixir, solution) is available if you cannot swallow
pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding
tube before and after medicine is given.
- Use suppository rectally.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- Do not change the brand or make of the medicine without talking with
healthcare provider.
- Wear disease medical alert identification for lung disease.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Tell healthcare provider if you stop smoking. Amount of medicine you
take may change.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Nervousness, shakiness, and restlessness.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for changes in breathing. Is breathing better, worse, or about
the same?
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.
- If you have asthma, check peak flows. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Very nervous, excitable, rapid heartbeats
- Severe nausea and vomiting.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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