How Effective Is Theophylline for Asthma?

Theophylline can reduce the tension of smooth muscles and dilate the airways; promote the release of endogenous adrenaline and norepinephrine, relax the airway smooth muscles; inhibit the release of calcium ions from the smooth muscle endoplasmic reticulum, reduce the intracellular calcium ion And produce airway dilatation. Theophylline has a stronger relaxing effect on smooth muscle, but is not as good as beta receptor agonists.

Basic Information

Chinese name: Theophylline
Foreign name: Theophylline
Alias: Schofermei, Le Le Quhui, Heiwen, etc.

Name: Dioxin
Drug classification: Respiratory medicine-asthma medicine
Indication: Bronchial and cardiogenic asthma

Theophylline indications

1. For bronchial asthma, acute bronchitis, asthmatic bronchitis, obstructive emphysema, etc. to relieve wheezing symptoms. It is also suitable for the symptoms of bronchospasm associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema.

2. Can be used for patients with cardiogenic asthma, cardiogenic edema and acute cardiac insufficiency.

3. Can also be used for patients with biliary colic.

Theophylline clinical application

Oral: 0.1-0.2g / time, 2 times / day; extreme amount, 0.3g / time, 1g / day. Controlled-release tablets: 400mg / time, once / day.

Theophylline adverse reactions

1. Oral administration can cause heartburn, nausea, vomiting, arrhythmia, lack of appetite, bloating, and increased serum uric acid measurement. Long-term use can cause headache, insomnia, and palpitations.

2. Large local irritation, intramuscular injection can cause local pain, redness and swelling, and can cause insomnia or restlessness when treated.

Theophylline precautions

This product should be taken after meals to reduce gastrointestinal irritation; smoking, chronic alcoholism and liver drug-inducing enzymes can all decrease theophylline plasma concentration, and the dosage of theophylline needs to be increased appropriately. Theophylline drugs can cause arrhythmias and worsen the original arrhythmia. Any changes in the patient's heart rate or heart rhythm should be closely monitored. When theophylline drugs are injected too fast or the theophylline plasma concentration is higher than 20 g / ml, toxic reactions may occur, which are manifested as arrhythmia, increased heart rate, muscle tremors, epilepsy, transient hypotension, or peripheral circulation failure. When theophylline concentration is higher than 40 g / ml, fever, dehydration, and convulsions can occur. In severe cases, breathing and heartbeat can stop and cause death. Pre-sedation can be effectively prevented.