• Basic Info
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What is aminophylline?
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. Aminophylline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

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What are the possible side effects of aminophylline?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking aminophylline and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);

• seizures;

• increased or irregular heartbeats; or

• severe nausea or vomiting.

Other, less serious side effects may also occur, although they are not common at appropriate doses. Continue to take aminophylline and talk to your doctor if you experience

• slight nausea, decreased appetite, or weight loss;

• restlessness, tremor, or insomnia; or

• headache, lightheadedness, or dizziness.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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How should I take aminophylline?
Take aminophylline exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. You can take aminophylline with food to lessen stomach upset. Take your doses at the same time every day to keep a constant level of aminophylline in your blood. 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.

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What is the most important information I should know about aminophylline?
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. Call your doctor right away if you experience nausea, vomiting, insomnia, restlessness, seizures, increased heart rate, or a headache. These could be signs of too much aminophylline in your blood. Do not start or stop smoking without your doctor's knowledge. Smoking may affect your dosage.

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What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

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What other drugs will affect aminophylline?
Aminophylline interacts with many other drugs. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all other medications that you are taking, including herbal remedies, vitamins, and other nonprescription items. The following drugs may increase the levels of aminophylline in your blood, leading to dangerous side effects: alcohol; cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as enoxacin (Penetrex), lomefloxacin (Maxaquin), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), norfloxacin (Noroxin), and ofloxacin (Floxin);

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Can I take this if I am pregnant or trying to get pregnant or if I am breastfeeding?

Aminophylline (theophylline) has been assigned to pregnancy category C by the FDA. Animal studies of theophylline have revealed evidence of embryolethality and teratogenicity. There are no controlled data in human pregnancy. Aminophylline is only recommended for use during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

The Collaborative Perinatal Project monitored 193 women with first trimester exposure to theophylline or aminophylline and found no increased risk of malformations. Cord serum concentrations and infant serum concentrations have been reported to approximate the mother's serum concentrations immediately following birth. In 12 mothers receiving aminophylline, maternal serum, cord serum, and infant serum theophylline concentrations averaged 10 mcg/mL at the time of delivery. Jitteriness, irritability, and vomiting have been reported in infants of mothers maintained on theophylline or aminophylline prior to delivery. Apnea has been reported in an infant born after 37.5 weeks gestation to a mother who had been maintained on theophylline throughout pregnancy for asthma. At approximately 48 hours after birth, the infant's serum theophylline concentration was 15 mcg/mL. The infant was placed on theophylline when the concentration measured 2 mcg/mL. Apnea resolved when the theophylline concentration reached 17 mcg/mL. The pharmacokinetics of theophylline have been studied in women during pregnancy. Studies throughout pregnancy have noted a significant decrease in the clearance of theophylline during the third trimester. The clearance was only slightly decreased during the first and second trimester. The plasma protein binding of theophylline also has been shown to decrease in the later stages of pregnancy. It is important to closely monitor the theophylline serum concentration and the patient for signs of toxicity during pregnancy.

Aminophylline (theophylline) is excreted in human milk and may cause irritability or other signs of mild toxicity. The concentration of theophylline in breast milk is approximately equivalent to the maternal serum concentration. The manufacturer states that serious adverse effects in the infant are unlikely unless the mother has toxic serum theophylline concentrations. The American Academy of Pediatrics considers theophylline to be compatible with breast-feeding.

In a study of five women given aminophylline, theophylline was detected in milk with a milk:serum ratio of 0.61 to 0.87. The peak milk concentration occurred between one and three hours after ingestion of the dose. Irritability was reported in one infant whose mother took aminophylline. Adverse effects were not reported in the infants of the other women participating in this study. Exposure to the infant can be minimized by nursing prior to administration of aminophylline to avoid peak milk concentrations.

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What does my medication look like?
Many different formulations of aminophylline are available with a prescription under many brand names, including Phyllocontin and Truphylline, in immediate-release and extended-release formulations. Aminophylline is also available in a generic form. Tablets, liquids, and suppositories are all available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

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What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of an aminophylline overdose include nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia, tremor (shaking hands or twitching,), restlessness, seizures, and irregular heartbeats.

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Who should not take aminophylline?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have a stomach ulcer; seizures or epilepsy; high blood pressure, a heart condition, or any type of heart disease; fluid in your lungs; a thyroid condition; liver disease; or kidney disease. You may not be able to take aminophylline, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. Aminophylline is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether aminophylline will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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