People with asthma know how important it is to provide timely assistance with bronchospasm. Sometimes the right actions in this difficult situation can save a life. A significant role in ridding a person of lung problems is played by bronchodilators.
Description of the drug
"Teopec" (300 mg), the instructions for use of which are given in this article, are white tablets of a cylindrical round shape, which are packed in contour packaging.
The main active ingredient of the drug is theophylline. Its concentration in one tablet of this form of the drug is 300 mg.
How does this medicine work?
In its pharmacological action, theophylline, which is a derivative of purine, has an inhibitory effect on phosphodiesterase. The active component of the drug blocks specific purine receptors, stimulates the accumulation of cAMP in tissue depots, reduces the ability of smooth muscle tissue to contract, reduces the amount of free calcium ions that migrate through cell membranes.
Marked vasodilating effect of taking the drug "Teopec" (300 mg) was noted. Instructions for use describe this property as an effect on peripheral blood vessels. Theophylline enhances the passage of blood through the kidney system, helps to relax the smooth muscles of the bronchi and blood vessels. Also, the action of this active component is characterized as a moderate diuretic. Theophylline prevents the release and release of substances that provoke an allergic response, and also increases the stability of mast cell membranes. If the patient has hypokalemia, the active substance intensifies ventilation of the lungs.
Theophylline helps to normalize the functioning of the respiratory system, activating the corresponding center in the brain, as a result of which the blood is better saturated with oxygen, and the concentration of carbon dioxide is reduced. Theopec drug has a stimulating effect on the diaphragm, causing it to contract. It also increases the value of the indicator of mucociliary clearance, intensifies the activity of the respiratory and intercostal muscles.
Theophylline normalizes blood microcirculation, reduces blood clot formation, suppresses a specific factor and eliminates platelet aggregation. Also, the drug improves the rheological quality of blood, increases the resistance of red blood cells to deforming factors.
"Teopec" (300 mg) helps to reduce the total pressure in the pulmonary circulation, and also reduces the resistance of blood vessels in the lung system. As a result, the tone of the integument of the skin, kidneys and brain decreases. As a result of taking theophylline, there is a stimulation of coronary blood flow, increased cardiac activity, an increase in the demand for myocardial cells in oxygen, a pulse is increased, the heart contractions increase.
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of the drug
After the patient has taken a tablet with theophylline, this substance is completely absorbed from the digestive tract. The food consumed affects the absorption rate of the drug, but the clearance and degree of absorption remain unchanged. 40% of the active substance binds to plasma proteins. Theophylline metabolism occurs in the liver through cytochrome P450 isoenzymes.
Excretion of metabolites in active form is carried out using the kidneys, however, 10% of the drug is eliminated in its original form. Some factors have a significant effect on theophylline metabolism. Smoking, taking certain medications, diet features, concomitant pathologies, age are able to make adjustments to the metabolism of this active substance in the human body. A decrease in theophylline clearance is noted in pulmonary edema, liver pathology, COPD, as well as in heart failure.
Who is shown taking this drug?
There are certain conditions in which the use of "Teopec" (300 mg) is indicated. Instructions for use call the following diseases:
- chronic obstructive bronchitis;
- sleep apnea;
- emphysema;
- bronchial asthma;
- pulmonary hypertension;
- pulmonary heart.
Also, the drug "Teopec", reviews of which are positive, can be used in combination with other medicines in the treatment of renal edema.
Patients note the high effectiveness of this drug and its acceptability for the treatment of diseases of the respiratory system.
Contraindications
However, this drug can not be used by everyone, due to the presence of a number of warnings. Theopec has the following contraindications:
- hemorrhagic type of stroke;
- epilepsy;
- history of gastrointestinal bleeding;
- peptic ulcers in the digestive system;
- tachycardia of high degrees of severity;
- arterial hypertension or hypotension;
- hypersensitivity;
- gastritis, accompanied by high acidity;
- children under 12 years old.
If you have at least one of these syndromes or conditions, you should refuse to take the drug with theophylline
Side effects
There is a fairly extensive group of side effects from taking the drug "Theopec" (300 mg). The instruction for use separates them according to the systemic manifestation:
- disorders of the nervous system: headaches and dizziness, sleep disturbance, excited state, increased anxiety and irritability, tremor;
- dysfunction of the heart and blood vessels: tachycardia, arrhythmia, hypotension, frequent attacks of angina pectoris, cardialgia;
- violation of the normal functioning of the digestive tract: nausea, gastralgia, vomiting, heartburn, reflux, exacerbation of an ulcer, diarrhea, decreased appetite;
- manifestations of allergic reactions: skin rash, fever, itching;
- among other side effects from taking the drug were noted: tachypnea, albuminuria, increased diuresis, sternum pain, hematuria, hot flashes, excessive sweating, hypoglycemia.
Usually, when the dose is adjusted downward, the manifestation of side effects is reduced or completely stopped.
How to take the drug?
Remedies for bronchitis, such as "Teopec", are prescribed only by the attending physician and their dosage is selected on an individual basis. The average daily nome of theophylline is 400 mg. If the patient tolerates the drug well, then after 2-3 days from taking the first dose of the drug, the volume is increased by 25% and then at the discretion of the doctor.
When taking the drug “Teopec” in a daily dose of less than 900 mg, monitoring theophylline in the patient’s blood is not required. If a manifestation of intoxication is noted, then urgently it is necessary to establish control over the level of concentration of the main active substance in the blood. The optimal values ​​are 10-20 μg per ml. If the content of theophylline in the patient's blood is higher than normal, then the development of negative reactions of the body is observed. In this case, it is required to reduce the dosage of the drug, and the therapeutic effect is weakened.
Can an overdose occur?
Bronchodilators, such as Teopec, can cause serious dysfunctions in case of overdose. With an incorrectly selected daily intake of this drug, the following manifestations may occur:
- decreased appetite;
- insomnia
- diarrhea;
- ventricular arrhythmias;
- tachycardia;
- digestive bleeding;
- tachypnea;
- tremor;
- anxiety;
- hyperemia of the skin ;
- increased excitability;
- fear of light;
- vomiting blood.
Severe poisoning can also develop, the symptoms of which are manifested in the following:
- the appearance of epileptoid seizures;
- hypokalemia;
- renal failure, myoglobinuria;
- hypotension;
- confused consciousness;
- hyperglycemia;
- metabolic acidosis.
What to do in this case?
In the presence of these signs or suspicions on them, it is necessary to wash the stomach, give the patient enterosorbents, laxatives, and also organize diuresis, plasma sorption, hemodialysis, and hemosorption. If the patient has convulsions, then it is recommended that he undergo oxygen therapy and inject Diazepam intravenously, which will help to effectively stop the seizure. In case of pronounced nausea and vomiting, the intravenous administration of Ondansetron and Metaclopromide should be prescribed.
What medicines cannot be combined with “Teopec”?
Teopec-type bronchodilators are not recommended for use with macrolide antibiotics, Allopurinol, Cimetidine, Linkomycin, Isoprenaline, as well as oral contraceptives, since all these drugs help reduce theophylline clearance.
It is not recommended to combine the use of beta-adrenergic blockers, especially non-selective ones, with the Teopec drug, which may result in narrowing of the bronchi and a decrease in the bronchodilating effect of theophylline.
If “Teopec” is used in conjunction with “Furosemide”, caffeine and other substances that stimulate beta-2-adrenergic receptors, then the activity of its main component is significantly increased. If theophylline is combined with Aminoglutitemide, then the first substance begins to be actively excreted from the body and its effectiveness decreases.
"Acyclovir" is able to increase the concentration of the main active substance "Teopec" and enhances the negative effects of its administration. Similar phenomena are observed with the joint administration of theophylline with the preparations “Dialteazem”, “Felodipine”, “Verapamil”, “Nefedipine”. These drugs do not change the bronchodilator effect, however, the patient may experience symptoms of adverse reactions or overdose.
The substance "Disulfiram" is able to increase the content of theophylline in the blood to critical levels, dangerous toxic damage. "Propranolol", on the contrary, reduces the clearance of the active substance "Teopeca". Theophylline concentration increases with its co-administration with Enoxacin and fluoroquinolones. With theophylline therapy, the effectiveness of lithium salts decreases.
With complex treatment with “Phenobarbital”, “Carbamazepine”, “Isoniazid”, “Rifampicin”, “Sulfinpyrazone” the clearance of “Teopek” increases and its effectiveness decreases. While taking theophylline with “Phenytoin”, mutual suppression of the content of active components in the patient’s blood is observed.
These instructions are especially important; ignoring them is fraught with health problems. Therefore, before taking "Teopec", carefully read the instructions. And if you are being treated with any of the above drugs, consult a doctor.
How to buy this medicine and how much does the drug cost?
Due to the presence of serious contraindications and side effects of this drug, Teopeck is available in pharmacies only by prescription.
Theopec drug, whose average price in Russia is 160 rubles, is presented in pharmacies by various manufacturers. One of the varieties is a medicine from the Ukrainian pharmaceutical company Borshchagovsky HFZ ZAO SPC. Its cost is 155 rubles. The Russian production of the drug "Teopek", 300 mg is carried out at the enterprises of CJSC "Binnopharm" and "Valent." The cost of these drugs is 290 rubles and 190 rubles, respectively.
In general, the Teopec drug, the price of which is acceptable, is considered an affordable medicine for many citizens of our country. Compared with European counterparts, this tool is much cheaper. Russian production of Theopec made it affordable.
Special instructions for taking the medicine
When taking the drug "Teopec", reviews of which are positive, you should pay attention to the following information. If the patient has coronary or heart failure, atherosclerosis, cardiomyopathy, gastrointestinal ulcer, liver pathology, prostate tumor, reflux, pregnancy, hypothyroidism or an increased tendency to seizures, the drug with theophylline should be taken with caution.
For children under 12 years of age and elderly patients, Teopeck is prescribed extremely rarely.
It is possible to use rectal forms of the drug, but they should be used carefully for pathologies of the rectum and for diarrhea syndrome. Patients with a predilection for smoking note a decrease in the effect of treatment with “Teopecom”.
Unacceptable is the combined treatment of theophylline and xanthine derivatives. If an elderly patient has a pronounced concomitant pathology, viral infection, pathology of the liver, heart and blood vessels, then the doctor needs to adjust the dose of the medicine.
Can pregnant women take the drug?
To a pregnant woman, this drug is prescribed in the presence of strict indications, since theophylline is able to penetrate the placenta. If taking Teopeck is indicated for a nursing mother, then lactation should be discontinued.
This manual is a simplified version of the complete instructions that accompany the Teopec. You should carefully read it before use. If you are confused or have doubts, seek the advice of your doctor.