If a person suffers from a violation of airway patency, then this may indicate the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disease is quite common. Often the occurrence of this pathology is noted in smokers. Also, the development of this ailment is caused by infection or any damage to the lungs. A person with narrowing of the airways can hardly breathe air.
As a result of this, the main symptoms of this disease are manifestations of shortness of breath, cough, as well as sputum production. This is important to know. The most common is the development of certain varieties of COPD. This is the occurrence of asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, bronchiectasis. In the treatment of these and many other diseases, a drug such as Theophylline will help. Instructions for use of the drug will be discussed in this text. More on this in more detail.
Description
"Theophylline", the composition of which will be described below, is a white crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in cold water (in a ratio of 1: 180), but easily soluble in hot (in a ratio of 1:85). It also dissolves in alkalis and acids.
Structure
In this drug, theophylline is the main active ingredient. Also included are certain auxiliary components. Namely - lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, talc, methacrylic acid.
Release form
In this regard, there are several types. "Theophylline" is available as sustained release tablets (0.1 g, 0.25 g), capsules (0.125 g, 0.5 g) and suppositories (0.2 g).
Pharmacological actions
The functionality of this drug is multifaceted. "Theophylline", reviews of which are positive, provides relaxation of the muscles of the bronchi, has a stimulating and vasodilating effect. This drug ensures the normal functioning of the respiratory center. Theophylline also helps eliminate pain in the diaphragm and improve the functioning of the intercostal muscles. Its regular use reduces the likelihood of allergic reactions in the respiratory system. The specified drug may have a diuretic effect. The presence of active substances in this medicine helps to normalize respiratory function, reduce carbon dioxide levels and increase lung ventilation.
"Theophylline" effectively enhances coronary circulation. It also helps to lower the tone of the vessels of the brain, kidneys and heart. With the implementation of long-term treatment, the bile ducts expand, microcirculation normalizes, and erythrocyte resistance to deformation also increases. In patients with hypotension, a decrease in blood pressure may occur.
Taking a drug such as Theophylline, along with beta-blockers and antibiotics, increases the risk of side effects.
Indications for use
The indicated medicine is prescribed in case of bronchial asthma, asthmatic status, obstructive bronchitis, emphysema. It is also used as an aid in newborns with apnea. Use "Theophylline" mainly as a bronchodilator.
It is also used as a moderately cardiotonic (increasing the strength of heart contractions) and diuretic (diuretic) drug for congestive manifestations of renal and cardiac origin. Sometimes it is prescribed along with other antispasmodic and bronchodilator drugs.
A detailed description of the spectrum of action of the specified drug
Initially, in the treatment of COPD, bronchodilators are administered. They carry out the opening of the respiratory tract. One of these medicines, as mentioned above, is a drug such as "Theophylline." Instructions for use characterize this medicine as a bronchodilator that blocks the so-called purine receptors. The presence of such a mechanism of action ensures the removal of spasms in the smooth muscles of the bronchi, the elimination of pain in the diaphragm, the activation of oxygen into the lungs, and the improvement of the intercostal muscles. As a result of this, the airways open, it is easier for a person to breathe.
Theophylline has a definite advantage. Instructions for use indicate that this medicine can positively affect not only the respiratory tract, but also other body systems. This drug promotes the expansion of coronary and peripheral blood vessels, interferes with the process of gluing platelets, has a moderate diuretic effect. This provides stimulation of the contracting activity of the heart muscle (myocardium), a decrease in blood pressure, and also has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. As a result of this, this drug is able to act versatile, while possessing anti-asthma, bronchodilator, diuretic, antispasmodic, vasodilating and cardiotonic properties.
"Theophylline": instructions for use
There are many criteria for determining the dosage. "Theophylline", according to the instructions, must be taken for children from 14 years old and adults 300 mg per day 2-3 times. In this case, this medicine should be washed down with water in large quantities. If necessary, the dosage can be increased to 500 mg 2 times a day, if recommended by the attending physician. If the patient has a body weight of less than 60 kg, then the dosage should be 100 mg 2 times a day. In this case, morning and evening intake of a drug such as "Theophylline" is prescribed. The instruction says that the treatment course must be started with small doses, and then gradually they should be increased.
This medicine should be taken at regular intervals. They should be 2-3 days. According to this instruction, during the treatment process, regular diagnostic procedures are necessary. Namely - the implementation of a blood test, blood pressure measurement, x-ray, ECG, determination of cholesterol and hemoglobin. The manifestation of the therapeutic effect of the indicated agent occurs after two days. This is important to know. With the joint use of this drug with antispasmodics, there is an increase in the effectiveness of the treatment process. "Theophylline" helps reduce the effects of antidiarrheal drugs. During the treatment period, caffeinated products and antidepressants should be taken with caution.
Taking this medication while breastfeeding and pregnancy
"Theophylline" acts on the fetus under category "C" by the FDA. This drug crosses the placental barrier. Pregnant women can use this medicine only in cases where the intended benefits to the mother will exceed the potential risk to the fetus. In the period of the first trimester and the last weeks of pregnancy, you should take the drug, observing strict indications. This is important to remember.
From many observations it follows that the clearance of theophylline during the period of the third trimester of pregnancy is reduced. This may require a more frequent determination of the concentration of a given substance in the blood and a possible dose reduction.
When breastfeeding, “Theophylline” passes into milk and may cause irritation or other signs of toxicity in infants. This is important to know. The concentration of the specified substance in breast milk is approximately equivalent to its content in the blood serum of the mother. Also, this tool suppresses slightly uterine contractions.
Contraindications
"Theophylline", the instructions for use of which are described above, are contraindicated if there is:
- Individual intolerance.
- Hyperthyroidism.
- Acute myocardial infarction.
- Subaortic stenosis. This is a non-inflammatory disease of the muscle tissue of the left heart ventricle. It is characterized by the manifestation of a sharp narrowing of its cavity.
- Extrasystole.
- Epilepsy and other convulsive conditions.
- Pregnancy.
With caution, it is necessary to take this drug with the manifestation of peptic ulcer of the duodenum and stomach.
Special criteria
Smoking significantly affects the metabolism and excretion of a substance such as theophylline. This should be remembered. Persons who smoke 1–2 packs of cigarettes per day have a reduced half-life. In patients with hepatic, cardiac or severe respiratory failure, as well as with viral infections and hyperthermia, a slowdown in the elimination of the active substance occurs. The intake of alcoholic beverages and caffeinated products also has a significant effect on theophylline metabolism.
Interactions
Theophylline drug helps to potentiate the effect of β2-adrenergic agonists. It can also enhance tremor, which is caused by drugs of a sympathomimetic type and is able to inhibit the absorption of phenytoin. Slowing down the elimination of this drug occurs when it interacts with Erythromycin and Phenobarbital. Means "Theophylline" provides an increase in renal excretion of lithium. In this case, the therapeutic balance is disturbed in patients who take the appropriate salts. The drug "Cimetidine" helps to increase the concentration of theophylline in the blood, and also increases its elimination time. Medications with a similar effect will be listed below.
Side effects
When taking this medication, various negative symptoms may occur. Namely:
- Manifestations may occur in the form of dizziness, insomnia, headache, fainting, anxiety, tremor, confusion, epilepsy.
- In the area of the cardiovascular system - arrhythmia, tachycardia, cardialgia, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, angina pectoris.
- From the digestive system - the occurrence of nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, flatulence, colitis, gastritis.
- With long-term use of this drug, manifestations of some allergic reactions in the form of itching, burning, urticaria, dermatitis, fever, sweating, skin rashes can be observed.
Overdose
In this case, certain symptoms occur. By these manifestations they mean:
- agitation;
- confusion;
- cramps;
- tachycardia;
- arrhythmia;
- hypotension;
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- vomiting with a blood admixture;
- hyperglycemia;
- metabolic acidosis.
With these symptoms, a specific treatment is prescribed. Namely, carry out:
- Reception of activated carbon.
- Irrigation of the intestinal region with a combination of a solution of salts and polyethylene glycol.
- Intravenous administration of "Metoclopramide" or "Ondansetron" with severe symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
- Reception of "Benzodiazepine", "Phenobarbital" (or sodium thiopental) and peripheral muscle relaxants with the appearance of seizures.
"Theophylline": analogues
There are several different drugs of this type. In this case, the following medications are considered:
- "Theobiolong" ("Theobilongum").
- "Spophillin retard" "(Spophillin retard").
- "Perfylon" ("PerphyUon").
- "Neo-Efrodal" ("Neo-Efrodal").
- "Franol" ("Franol").
Storage
Powders and tablets ("Theophylline") are stored in a dark, dry place. Their shelf life is five years. Candles should be stored in the refrigerator. However, they should not be frozen. Their shelf life is four years.
Total
After reviewing the foregoing, everyone will be able to imagine what a drug like "Theophylline" is, the price of which is acceptable (in the range of 70-160 rubles). Also in this text describes the instructions for use of this medication, its interaction with other means.