Aminophylline
About
Aminophylline belongs to the class of drugs called bronchodilators. It is indicated for the relief of bronchospasm associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes).
Aminophylline contains Aminophylline, which helps to provide relief of bronchospasm associated with asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Aminophylline relaxes and opens air passages in the lungs, thereby it making breathing easier.
Aminophylline should be used as prescribed by a doctor. The dose of this medicine will be advised by your doctor based on your medical condition. Aminophylline may cause certain side effects, including upset stomach, stomach pain, diarrhea, headache, restlessness, and irritability. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if these side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Aminophylline should be avoided if you are allergic to it. Let your doctor know about all your medical conditions, allergic reactions, and current medication history before taking Aminophylline. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Avoid smoking and the consumption of tobacco, as it may affect the effectiveness of aminophylline.
Uses of Aminophylline
Medicinal Benefits
Aminophylline contains Aminophylline, a bronchodilator that is used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Aminophylline helps thin and loosen phlegm (mucus) in the lungs, windpipe and nose. Thereby, it helps to cough out easily and makes breathing easier by opening airways. It also prevents apnea (temporary cessation of breathing, especially during sleep) in preterm infants.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Aminophylline
- Upset stomach
- Stomach pain
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Irritability
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Aminophylline. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding before taking Aminophylline. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Aminophylline as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning or last longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately. These might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment. Do not take Aminophylline if you have a heart rhythm disorder that causes fast heartbeats. If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), irregular heartbeats, viral infections, heart failure, high blood pressure, fits, gastric or duodenal ulcers, heart diseases, kidney or liver insufficiency, inform your doctor before taking Aminophylline. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications, including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products you use before starting treatment with Aminophylline. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided as it may worsen your condition. Also, avoid the consumption of tobacco. Smoking may affect the effectiveness of aminophylline. Do not abruptly stop taking Aminophylline as it may lead to withdrawal syndrome and unwanted side effects.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Aminophylline may interact with medicines for heartburn or an ulcer (cimetidine), antibiotics (erythromycin, ciprofloxacin), antifungal (fluconazole) medicines for gout (allopurinol, sulphinpyrazone), medicines for high blood pressure or chest pain (diltiazem, propranolol), antidepressants (fluvoxamine), medicines for epilepsy or fits (phenytoin, carbamazepine), water pills (furosemide), medicines used heart-related medicines (isoprenaline, digoxin), anthelmintic (thiabendazole), corticosteroids (prednisone) and oral contraceptives (ethinylestradiol), antimanic agents (lithium), anticancer drugs (interferon alfa, methotrexate), medicines used to reduce the risk of stroke (ticlopidine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Aminophylline may interact with alcohol. Therefore, avoid intake of alcohol with Aminophylline as it may increase drowsiness. St. John’s Wort (antidepressant) and caffeine-containing food or drinks should be avoided as they can affect the working of Aminophylline.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Aminophylline should be used with caution if you have heart problems, overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism), stomach ulcer, liver problems, seizures (fits) or convulsions, fever, viral infection, alcoholism, male and have difficulty in passing urine (due to an enlarged prostate gland).
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionAlcohol may increase the levels of aminophylline in the blood, leading to serious side effects. Please consult your doctor if you intend to drink alcohol during treatment with Aminophylline.
Pregnancy
cautionIf you are pregnant, or planning pregnancy, inform your doctor before taking Aminophylline. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionSmall amounts of aminophylline are excreted in human milk. Hence, if you are breastfeeding, inform your doctor before taking Aminophylline. Your doctor may prescribe this medicine if the benefits outweigh the risks.
Driving
not applicableAminophylline has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive.
Liver
cautionIf you have a pre-existing or a history of liver disease, inform your doctor before taking Aminophylline. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or prescribe a suitable alternative based on your condition.
Kidney
consult your doctorNo interactions were found. However, if you have kidney problems, consult your doctor before taking Aminophylline.
Children
cautionAminophylline should be used with caution in children and only if prescribed by the paediatrician. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat a healthy diet specially green leafy vegetables, and strictly do not consume alcohol or caffeine (coffee, tea and cola drinks and chocolate).
- Drink plenty of fluids daily to thin mucus, making it easier to cough out.
- Smoking should be avoided while taking Aminophylline as it can alter the blood levels of aminophylline, which may affect the dosing.
- It is very important to maintain hygiene, like washing hands after coming from outside, as people with asthma/COPD are at a greater risk of infections.
- Stay active and do regular exercise to improve quality of life and increase tolerance to shortness of breath.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
Special Advise
- The doctor may suggest some tests to know the root cause of the respiratory disorder, such a Spirometry (check the narrowing of bronchial tubes) and Peak flow (check how difficult it is to exhale).
- Please avoid the use of Tobacco and Marijuana as it decreases the efficacy of Aminophylline.
- If you have a glucose or lipid profile test, let your doctor know about this, as prolonged use of Aminophylline may increase glucose levels and free fatty acid in the body.
- Aminophylline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms, so it is always advised to carry a rescue inhaler to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than two times a week and up to 4 nights a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises and self-care.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Aminophylline contains Aminophylline, a bronchodilator that works by relaxing and widening the muscles of the airways, thereby making it easier for asthma and COPD patients to breathe easily.
Avoid aerated drinks, fried foods, excess salts (sodium chloride or table salt), dairy products, cruciferous veggies, cold cuts and cured meats. Besides this, avoid consuming foods high in caffeine like tea, coffee, chocolate and cola, as this food already consists of theophylline, an active constituent of Aminophylline. Sulfites in alcoholic beverages can trigger symptoms of asthma and COPD, so avoid their consumption.
No, you are not recommended to smoke while taking Aminophylline as it may reduce the effectiveness of Aminophylline and damage your lung's airways (alveoli). Long-term smoking may cause breathing problems like asthma, bronchitis and COPD. Quitting smoking is the best way to keep your lungs healthy.
No, Aminophylline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
You are not recommended to take Aminophylline with antibiotics such as erythromycin, tetracycline, amoxicillin, amikacin and gentamicin at the same time as it may reduce the effectiveness of antibiotics. However, if you are supposed to take these medicines together, maintain a time gap of a minimum of 2 hours between taking Aminophylline and antibiotics. However, please consult a doctor before using Aminophylline with antibiotics or other medicines.
