📋 Indications & Clinical Dosage
*Severe acute asthma:*
BY IV INF: Adult & Children above 12 yrs: 500-700 mcg/kg/hour, adjusted according to plasma-theophylline concentration; (in patients not previously treated with theophylline): 250-500 mg (max. per dose 5 mg/kg) by slow IV injection followed by intravenous INF.
Children 1 month-11 yrs: 1 mg/kg/hour, adjusted according to plasma-theophylline concentration; (in patients not previously treated with theophylline): 5 mg/kg (max. per dose 500 mg) by slow IV injection followed by intravenous INF.
Elderly: 300 mcg/kg/hour, adjusted according to plasma-theophylline concentration.
*Severe acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease:*
BY IV INF: Adult: 500-700 mcg/kg/hour, adjusted according to plasma-theophylline concentration; (in patients not previously treated with theophylline): 250-500 mg (max. per dose 5 mg/kg) by slow IV injection followed by intravenous INF
Elderly: 300 mcg/kg/hour, adjusted according to plasma-theophylline concentration.
*Chronic asthma:*
ORAL: Children (body-weight 40 kg and above): Initially 225 mg twice daily for 1 week, then increased if necessary to 450 mg twice daily, adjusted according to plasma theophylline concentration.
*Reversible airway obstruction:*
ORAL: Adult (body-weight 40 kg and above): Initially 225 mg twice daily for 1 week, then increased if necessary to 450 mg twice daily, adjusted according to plasma theophylline concentration.
💊 Mode of Administration
Dilute with IV fluid to a concentration of 1 mg/ml and infuse over 20-30 min; maximum conc: 25 mg/ml; maximum rate of infusion: 0.36 mg/kg/min, and not greater than 25 mg/min.
⚠️ Precautions & Warnings
Cardiac or liver diseases, arrhythmias following rapid IV injection, cardiac arrhythmias, elderly, epilepsy, fever, hypertension, hyperthyroidism, risk of hypokalaemia hypertension, hyperthyroidism, peptic ulceration, avoid in acute porphyria.
🔄 Drug Interactions
Cimetidine, erythromycin, sympathomimetics in children, ciprofloxacin, interferon.
⚠️ Adverse Reactions / Side Effects
CNS stimulation, arrhythmias, convulsions, headache, diarrhoea, gastric irritation, hypotension, insomnia, nausea, palpitation, tachycardia, vomiting
🤰 Pregnancy & Lactation Safety
Pregnancy Risk:
Caution advised
Lactation / Breastfeeding:
Caution advised
🧪 Compatibility & Storage Stability
Compatibility: D5W, NS, incompatible with amiodarone, ciprofloxacin, diltiazem, dobutamine, hydralazine, or ondansetron into the V-port of a continuous infusion of aminophylline.
Stability & Storage: Store between 15T-30C (59F-86F). Protect from light. Discard unused portion.