Doxofylline
About
Doxofylline belongs to the class of drugs called 'bronchodilators' primarily used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes).
Doxofylline contains Doxofylline that acts by inhibiting the phosphodiesterase 4 (PD-4) thereby relaxing the bronchial smooth muscle of lung's airways, making it easier for asthma and COPD patient to breath easily.
Use Doxofylline as prescribed. Your doctor will recommend you how often you take Doxofylline based on your medical condition. Some people may experience headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, irritability, insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep) or fast heart rate. Most of these side effects of Doxofylline do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Doxofylline is contraindicated in acute myocardial infarction, low blood pressure (hypotension), lactating women and patients allergic to Doxofylline. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, before using Doxofylline. Doxofylline should be used with caution in congestive heart failure patients as these patients have slow drug clearance leading to high blood levels even after stopping treatment with Doxofylline.
Uses of Doxofylline
Medicinal Benefits
Doxofylline is a bronchodilator and also possess antitussive (cough suppressant) properties that are used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Doxofylline works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs, especially in asthma and COPD patients. Additionally, Doxofylline helps in suppressing cough and makes breathing easier by opening airways. Thus it prevents an asthma attack, and an individual can exercise freely if it is taken before exercise or before expected exposure to irritants such as pollen, house dust, cigarette smoke and pets.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Doxofylline
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Irritability
- Insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep)
- Fast heart rate
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Doxofylline or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. You are recommended to avoid taking Doxofylline with chocolate and caffeinated foods such as cocoa beans or tea leaves as they may increase the risk of severity of side effects. Doxofylline is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please consult a doctor before using Doxofylline. Do not take Doxofylline if you have low blood pressure or had a heart attack. Doxofylline should be used with caution in congestive heart failure patients as these patients have slow drug clearance leading to high blood levels even after stopping treatment with Doxofylline. If you have low blood pressure, congestive heart failure, hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), pulmonary heart diseases, stomach ulcer, kidney, liver or heart diseases, inform your doctor before taking Doxofylline.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Doxofylline may interact with medicines used to treat gout (allopurinol), antacid (cimetidine), antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin, lincomycin), drugs used to lower high blood pressure (propranolol), central nervous system stimulant (ephedrine), flu vaccine (influenza vaccine) and anticonvulsants (phenytoin),
Drug-Food Interaction: Doxofylline may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid intake of Doxofylline with chocolate and caffeine-containing foods such as cocoa beans and tea leaves as they may increase the risk of severity of side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have low blood pressure, congestive heart failure, hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), pulmonary heart diseases, stomach ulcer, kidney, liver or heart diseases, inform your doctor before taking Doxofylline.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Doxofylline with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Doxofylline.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Doxofylline in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDoxofylline is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. Please consult a doctor before taking Doxofylline if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedDoxofylline usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Doxofylline with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Doxofylline with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionDoxofylline is not recommended for children below 6 years of age, as the safety and effectiveness were not established. However, please consult a doctor before giving Doxofylline for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat foods rich in potassium such as tomatoes, bananas, asparagus, oranges, potatoes, avocados, dark leafy greens and beetroots as potassium is important for lung function and a potassium deficiency may cause breathing problems.
- Drink plenty of fluids every day to thin mucus which makes it easier to cough out.
- Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled food, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, bottled lemon and lime juice as it may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system. Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
- 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.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of the Doxofylline and irritate the lungs worsening breathing problem.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Doxofylline to monitor potassium levels and levels of Doxofylline in the blood.
- Doxofylline can cause serious side effects, possibly similar, which occurs by taking too much amount of caffeine. So avoid intake of Doxofylline with caffeinated beverages like chocolate, coffee etc.
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 2 times in a week and up to 4 nights in a month whereas, in 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
Doxofylline contains Doxofylline which belongs to the class of bronchodilators that works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Additionally, Doxofylline possess antitussive (cough suppressant) properties and helps in suppressing cough. Thereby, makes breathing easier by opening airways.
No, you are not recommended to take erythromycin with Doxofylline as co-administration of these medicines may increase the risk of adverse effects of Doxofylline. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Doxofylline.
You are recommended to avoid taking Doxofylline if you are allergic to Doxofylline or other xanthine derivatives if you are breastfeeding, suffering from low blood pressure or had a heart attack. However, inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions before taking Doxofylline.
You are not recommended to take more than the prescribed dose of Doxofylline as it may cause overdose resulting in irregular heartbeats and fits. However, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Doxofylline, please consult a doctor immediately.
No, you are not recommended to smoke while taking Doxofylline as it may reduce the effectiveness of Doxofylline.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Doxofylline without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Doxofylline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Doxofylline, please consult your doctor.
No, Doxofylline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
