If a person suffers from airway obstruction, this may indicate the presence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This disease is quite common. Often the occurrence of this pathology is observed in smokers. Also, the development of this disease is caused by an infection or some kind of damage to the lungs. A person with narrowing of the airways can hardly exhale air.
As a result, the main symptoms of this disease are manifestations of shortness of breath, cough, and sputum production. This is important to know. The most common is the development of certain types 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 later.
Description
"Theophylline", the composition of which will be described below, is a white crystalline powder. It is slightly soluble in cold water (at a ratio of 1:180), but easily dissolves in hot water (at a ratio of 1:85). It also dissolves in alkalis and acids.
Composition
In this drug, the main active ingredient is theophylline. It also includes certain auxiliary components. Namely - lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, talc, methacrylic acid.
Issue form
There are several types in this regard. "Theophylline" is produced in the form of prolonged-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, relaxes the muscles of the bronchi, has a stimulating and vasodilating effect. This drug ensures the normal functioning of the respiratory center. Theophylline also contributes to the elimination of pain in the diaphragm and the improvement of the functioning of the intercostal muscles. Its use on a regular basis reduces the likelihood of allergic-type reactions in the organs of the respiratory system. This drug may have a diuretic effect. The presence of active substances in this drug 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 long-term treatment, the biliary tract expands, microcirculation normalizes, and the resistance of erythrocytes to deformation increases. Hypotension patients may experience low blood pressure.
The use of a drug such as Theophylline, along with beta-blockers and antibiotics, leads to an increased risk of side effects.
Indications for use
Prescribe the indicated medicine in the event of bronchial asthma, status asthmaticus, obstructive bronchitis, emphysema. It is also used as an aid in newborns with apnea. Theophylline is used 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.
Detailed description of the spectrum of action of the indicated drug
Initially, in the treatment of COPD, bronchodilators are prescribed. They open up the airways. One of these medicines, as mentioned above, is a drug such as"Theophylline". Instructions for use characterizes 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 supply to the lungs, and the improvement of the work of the intercostal muscles. As a result, the airways open up, making it easier for the person to breathe.
Theophylline has a certain 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, prevents the process of agglutination of platelets, and has a moderate diuretic effect. This provides stimulation of the contracting activity of the heart muscle (myocardium), lowering blood pressure, and also has a beneficial effect on the central nervous system. As a result, 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, it is necessary to take children from 14 years old and adults 300 mg per day 2-3 times. In this case, this medicine should be taken with water.a lot. 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 administration of a drug such as Theophylline is prescribed. The instruction says that the treatment course should be started with small doses, and then they should be gradually increased.
This medicine should be taken at regular intervals. They should be 2-3 days. According to this instruction, the treatment process requires regular diagnostic procedures. Namely - the implementation of a blood test, measurement of blood pressure, x-ray, ECG, determination of cholesterol and hemoglobin levels. The manifestation of the therapeutic effect of this remedy occurs after two days. This is important to know. When this drug is taken together with antispasmodics, there is an increase in the effectiveness of the treatment process. "Theophylline" helps to reduce the effect of antidiarrheal drugs. During the treatment period, caffeinated products and antidepressants should be taken with caution.
Taking this drug while breastfeeding and pregnant
"Theophylline" acts on the fetus under category "C" by the FDA. This drug crosses the placental barrier. Pregnant women should only use this medicine if the expected benefit to the mother is greater thanpotential risk to the fetus. During the period of the first trimester and the last weeks of pregnancy, the drug should be taken, observing strict indications. This is important to remember.
From many observations it follows that the clearance of theophylline during the third trimester of pregnancy is reduced. This may require more frequent determination of the concentration of this substance in the blood and the implementation of a possible dose reduction.
When breastfeeding, "Theophylline" passes into the milk and may cause irritability or other signs of toxicity in infants. This is important to know. The concentration of this substance in breast milk is approximately equivalent to its content in the mother's blood serum. Also, this remedy slightly suppresses uterine contractions.
Contraindications
"Theophylline", instructions for use of which are described above, is contraindicated if available:
- 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.
Care should be taken when taking this drug in case of duodenal ulcer and stomach ulcer.
Special Criteria
Smoking significantly affectsinfluence on 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, the elimination of the active substance slows down. The intake of alcoholic beverages and caffeinated foods also has a significant effect on theophylline metabolism.
Interactions
Theophylline drug helps to potentiate the effect of β2-agonists. It can also increase tremor, which is caused by drugs of the sympathomimetic type and can inhibit the absorption of phenytoin. The elimination of this agent is slowed down 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 s alts. The drug "Cimetidine" helps to increase the concentration of theophylline in the blood, and also increases the time of its elimination. Similar medicines will be listed below.
Presence of side effects
Various negative symptoms may occur when taking this medicine. Namely:
- Dizziness, insomnia, headache, fainting, anxiety, tremors, confusion, epilepsy may occur.
- In the fieldcardiovascular system - arrhythmia, tachycardia, cardialgia, a sharp decrease in blood pressure, angina.
- On the part of the digestive system - the occurrence of nausea, vomiting, heartburn, diarrhea, flatulence, colitis, gastritis.
- With prolonged use of this remedy, some allergic reactions may occur in the form of itching, burning, urticaria, dermatitis, fever, increased sweating, skin rashes.
Overdose
There are certain symptoms in this case. These manifestations mean:
- agitation;
- confusion;
- convulsions;
- tachycardia;
- arrhythmia;
- hypotension;
- nausea;
- diarrhea;
- bloody vomiting;
- hyperglycemia;
- metabolic acidosis.
A specific treatment is prescribed for these symptoms. Namely, they carry out:
- Reception of activated carbon.
- Irrigation of the intestinal area with a combination of saline solution and polyethylene glycol.
- Intravenous administration of "Metoclopramide" or "Ondansetron" for severe symptoms of nausea and vomiting.
- Taking Benzodiazepines, Phenobarbital (or sodium thiopental) and peripheral muscle relaxants for seizures.
"Theophylline": analogues
There are several different drugs of this type. In this case, consider the following medications:
-"Theobiolong" ("Theobilongum").
- "Spophillin retard" " (Spophillin retard").
- "Perfillon" ("PerphyUon").
- "Neo-Efrodal".
- "Franol".
Storage
Powders and tablets ("Theophylline") are stored in a dry place protected from light. Their shelf life is five years. Candles should be stored in the refrigerator. However, they should not be frozen. They have a four year shelf life.
Result
After reviewing the above, everyone will be able to imagine what a drug like "Theophylline" is, the price of which is acceptable (within 70-160 rubles). This text also tells about the instructions for using this medication, its interaction with other means.
