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| Pronunciation |
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 (thee
OF i
lin) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Aerolate III®; Aerolate JR®;
Aerolate SR®; Elixophyllin®; Quibron®-T;
Quibron®-T/SR; Respbid®; Slo-bid™;
Slo-Phyllin®; Theo-24®; Theochron®;
Theo-Dur®; Theolair™; T-Phyl®; Uni-Dur®;
Uniphyl® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Bronchodilator; Theophylline Derivative |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to theophylline or any other part of the
medicine.
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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 relaxes the 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) 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.
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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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