Theophylline, Oral
What are other names for this medicine?
Type of medicine: xanthine bronchodilator
Generic and brand names: theophylline, oral; Accurbron; Aerolate; Aerolate III; Aerolate Jr; Aerolate Sr; Aquaphyllin; Asmalix; Bronkodyl; Elixomin; Elixophyllin; Elixophyllin Elixir; Elixophyllin SR; Lanophyllin; Marax; Quibron-T Dividose; Quibron-T/SR Dividose; Respbid; Slo-Bid Gyrocaps; Slo-Phyllin; Slo-Phyllin Gyrocaps; Slo-Phyllin Syrup; Sustaire; T-Phyl; Theo-24; Theo-Dur; Theo-Dur Sprinkle; Theo-X; Theobid Duracaps; Theobid JR Duracaps; Theochron; Theoclear L.A.; Theoclear-80; Theolair; Theolair 80; Theolair-SR; Theophylline Elixir; Theophylline SR Capsules; Theophylline SR Tablets; Theophylline Solution; Theospan-SR; Theostat 80; Theovent; Uni-Dur; Uniphyl
What is this medicine used for?
This medicine is taken by mouth to treat the symptoms of lung problems such as asthma, emphysema, and bronchitis. It comes in capsule, liquid, and tablet forms.
How do I use it?
Take this medicine exactly as your health care provider prescribes every day. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed.
The liquid, tablets, and capsules work best when taken with a full glass (8 ounces) of water 1 hour before or 2 hours after meals. Swallow tablets and capsules whole. Do not crush or chew them.
Theo-Dur Sprinkle Capsules can be opened and the beads sprinkled onto applesauce, pudding, or other soft food. They should be swallowed (not chewed) right away with water. The capsules may also be swallowed whole with water.
Do not miss a dose. If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your health care provider.
What should I watch out for?
This medicine may increase the stimulant effects of caffeine. Avoid foods and drinks containing caffeine (for example, coffee, tea, cocoa, colas, and chocolate). Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine without your health care provider's approval.
Tell your health care provider if you develop a fever or flu symptoms, which may increase the risk of side effects. Also tell your health care provider if you have diarrhea that continues.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your health care provider about this.
Females of childbearing age: Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
What are the possible side effects?
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your health care provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Serious (report these to your health care provider right away): Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, vomiting blood, abdominal pain, irregular or rapid (pounding) heartbeat, seizures, muscle twitching, rapid breathing.
Other: Increased urination, nervousness, flushing, rash, trouble sleeping, hair loss, rectal irritation with suppositories.
What products might interact with this medicine?
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your health care provider if you are taking:
- allopurinol
- aminoglutethimide
- antacids such as Mylanta and Maalox
- barbiturates
- beta blockers taken by mouth such as timolol (Blocadren), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), acebutolol (Sectral), pindolol (Visken), and atenolol (Tenormin)
- birth control pills
- calcium channel blockers
- carbamazepine
- charcoal
- cimetidine (Tagamet)
- clindamycin (Cleocin)
- corticosteroids
- disulfiram
- ephedrine
- erythromycin
- flu vaccine
- foods and drinks containing caffeine (coffee, tea, cocoa, colas, and chocolate)
- furosemide (Lasix)
- hydantoins
- isoniazid
- ketoconazole
- lincomycin (Lincocin)
- loop diuretics
- macrolides
- mexiletine
- nicotine
- interferon
- phenobarbital
- quinolones
- rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane)
- smoking (cigarettes or pot)
- sulfinpyrazone
- tetracyclines
- thiabendazole
- thyroid hormones
- troleandomycin (Tao)
- zileuton.
The effects of this medicine may be increased if you take it with grapefruit juice. Discuss this with your health care provider.
Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, nonprescription, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins) with you. Be sure that you tell all health care providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your health care provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
