Aminophylline is used to both prevent and cure wheezing, shortness of breath, and breathing problems brought on by lung conditions such emphysema, chronic bronchitis, and asthma. It eases breathing by relaxing the body and widening the lungs’ airways.

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

Aminophylline is available as a pill, syrup, and suppository for rectal insertion. Usually, it’s taken every six, eight, or twelve hours. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. Take the medication precisely as prescribed. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Take the pills or oral liquid on an empty stomach, at least one hour before or two hours after a meal, with a full glass of water. Long-acting pills should be completely swallowed without chewing or crushing.

Although it does not treat lung illnesses like asthma, aminophylline manages their symptoms. Even if you feel good, keep taking aminophylline. Without consulting your doctor, do not stop taking aminophylline.

In order to implant a rectal suppository, do the following:

1. Take the wrapping off.
2. Water should be applied to the suppository’s tip.
3. Raise your right knee to your chest while lying on your left side. (If you are left-handed, you should lie on your right side and lift your left leg.)
4. With the aid of your finger, place the suppository approximately 1/2 to 1 inch (1.25 to 2.5 centimetres) into the rectum of infants and children, and 1 inch (2.5 centimetres) into the rectum of adults. Hold it there for a short while.
5. After about fifteen minutes, get up. Continue your regular activities after giving your hands a thorough wash.

In rare cases, aminophylline is used to address premature newborns’ respiratory issues. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medication for the condition of your infant with your doctor.

Before taking aminophylline,

• If you have an allergy to aminophylline or any other medication, tell your doctor and pharmacist right away.
• 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 over-the-counter drugs you are taking, especially those that contain ephedrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine. Check labels carefully as many non-prescription items (such as diet pills and treatments for colds and asthma) contain these drugs. Without first consulting your doctor, avoid taking these drugs as they may exacerbate aminophylline’s negative effects.
• Inform your physician if you have a history of alcohol addiction, have ever had seizures, have heart disease, high blood pressure, liver disease, an overactive or underactive thyroid gland, or any of these conditions.
• 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 aminophylline.
• If you use tobacco products, let your doctor know. Smoking cigarettes may reduce the aminophylline’s effectiveness.

Caffeine-rich beverages and foods, such as coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate, may intensify the negative effects of aminophylline. While taking aminophylline, keep these drugs in small amounts at a minimum.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If the next dose is soon due, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing plan. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one. Call your doctor if you start to feel extremely out of breath.

Side effects from aminophylline are possible. If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know.

• Uneasy stomach
• Abdominal pain
• Diarrhea
• Headache
• Restlessness
• Insomnia
• Irritability

Call your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Elevated or accelerated heart rate
• Abnormal heartbeat
• Seizures
• Skin 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).

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.

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

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 your reaction to aminophylline, your doctor will request a few lab tests.

Avoid switching aminophylline brands without first consulting your doctor.

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.