Details

Aminophylline is a bronchodilator. Aminophylline works in several ways: it relaxes muscles in your lungs and chest to allow more air in, decreases the sensitivity of your lungs to allergens and other substances that cause inflammation, and increases the contractions of your diaphragm to draw more air into the lungs. Aminophylline is used to treat the symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Do not crush or chew any extended-release formulation of aminophylline. Swallow the medication whole. It is specially formulated to release slowly in your body. If you do not know whether your medication is an extended-release formulation, ask your pharmacist. People suffering from stomach ulcer, epilepsy, high blood pressure, a heart condition, or any type of heart disease, a thyroid condition should not consume aminophylline.

Typical Uses

Aminophylline is used to treat and prevent wheezing and trouble breathing caused by ongoing lung disease (e.g., asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis). Aminophylline belongs to a class of drugs known as xanthenes. It works in the airways by relaxing muscles, opening air passages to improve breathing, and decreasing the lungs' response to irritants. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school. Aminophylline does not work right away and should not be used for sudden attacks of breathing trouble.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of Aminophylline include an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing closing of your throat swelling of your lips, tongue, or face or hives) seizures increased or irregular heartbeats severe nausea or vomiting, slight nausea, decreased appetite, weight loss restlessness, tremor, or insomnia or headache, light-headedness, or dizziness.

Drug Interactions

• Aminophylline+acebutolol- Ask your doctor before using acebutolol together with aminophylline. Using these medications together can make acebutolol less effective and increase the effects of aminophylline.

• Aminophylline+aminophylline- Ask your doctor before using atenolol together with aminophylline. Using these medications together can make atenolol less effective and increase the effects of aminophylline.

• Aminophylline+betaxolol- Ask your doctor before using betaxolol together with aminophylline. Using these medications together can make betaxolol less effective and increase the effects of aminophylline.

• Aminophylline+enoxacin- Ask your doctor before using enoxacin together with aminophylline this can increase the blood levels or add to the side effects of aminophylline. This can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, headache, insomnia, seizures, or heart palpitations.

• Aminophylline+penbutolol- Ask your doctor before using penbutolol together with aminophylline. Using these medications together can make penbutolol less effective and increase the effects of aminophylline.

Mechanism of action

Aminophylline, a xanthine derivative, is a complex of theophylline and ethylenediamine. Theophylline acts through many ways including action on phosphodiesterase enzyme and adenosine to expand the air passages of the lungs, which helps relieve chest tightness and wheezing (bronchospasm) causing relaxation of smooth muscle of the bronchial airways. It also has stimulant effect on respiration.

Pregnancy Category : C