Wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness brought on by emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and other lung conditions can be prevented and treated with theophylline. It eases breathing by relaxing the body and widening the lungs’ airways.

Although it can not treat lung disorders like asthma, theophylline can manage their symptoms. Even if you are feeling fine, keep taking theophylline. Without consulting your doctor, do not stop taking theophylline.

When preterm babies have breathing issues, theophylline may be administered as a treatment. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medication for the condition of your infant with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this drug for any other conditions.

Before taking theophylline,

• If you have an allergy to theophylline, any other drugs, or any of the substances in theophylline preparations, let your doctor and pharmacist know right away. Request a list of the components from your pharmacist.
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist of all prescription medications you are taking, particularly allopurinol (Zyloprim), azithromycin (Zithromax), carbamazepine (Tegretol), cimetidine (Tagamet), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), diuretics (‘water pills’), erythromycin, lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), oral contraceptives, pheny
• Inform your doctor and pharmacist about any prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbal items, and nutritional supplements you are now taking or intend to take. Ephedrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine should all be mentioned. Tell your doctor about all of the medications you are taking, even any not on this list, as many other drugs may also interact with theophylline. Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Inform your doctor if you have or have ever had liver illness, high blood pressure, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, seizures, ulcers, heart disease, high blood pressure, or a history of alcohol addiction.
• Inform your doctor if you are expecting, intend to get pregnant, or are nursing a baby. Call your doctor if you become pregnant while taking theophylline.
• If you use tobacco products, let your doctor know. Theophylline may become less effective if you smoke cigarettes.What special dietary instructions should I follow?

Caffeine-rich beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate, may intensify theophylline’s adverse effects. While taking theophylline, stay away from these substances in significant quantities.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you become severely short of breath, call your doctor.

There may be adverse effects from theophylline. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know.

• Uneasy stomach
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Having trouble falling or staying asleep
• Irritability

Some adverse effects can be very harmful. Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Elevated or accelerated heart rate
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Seizures
• Rash

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom).

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call the poison control hotline at 1-800-222-1222 in the event of an overdose. Additionally, information can be found online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call 911 right once if the person has collapsed, experienced a seizure, is having difficulty breathing, or cannot be roused.

Keep all of your appointments with your physician and the lab. To monitor how you are responding to theophylline, your doctor will request a few lab tests.

Without first consulting your doctor, never switch theophylline brands.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.