Drug | Injection

Acute bronchospasm in asthma and COPD, wheezing and breathing difficulty as adjunct therapy

Methylxanthines relax bronchial smooth muscle and improve ventilation by bronchodilation. They also have mild anti-inflammatory effects and stimulate the respiratory center.

For IV use by healthcare professionals only, usually slow IV injection/infusion. Do not self-administer. Monitoring is recommended due to narrow safety margin.

Nausea, vomiting, tremor, headache, palpitations, restlessness, insomnia

Serious toxicity possible (arrhythmias, seizures). Use caution in cardiac disease, liver impairment, elderly, hyperthyroidism, epilepsy and peptic ulcer. Avoid rapid IV administration; consider serum level monitoring when clinically indicated.

Ciprofloxacin/erythromycin/cimetidine (increase theophylline levels), rifampicin/phenytoin/carbamazepine (decrease levels), caffeine, beta-agonists, smoking (reduces levels)

Store below 25°C, protect from light, do not freeze.

Deriphyllin Amp, Etophylline+Theophylline Injection (generic), Deryphylline injection brands, Etofil injection brands