Sooslic - AMINOPHYLLINE (theophylline & ethylenediamine)

Posted: Wed, 10 Jan 2007 0:00:00 +MSK

AMINOPHYLLINE
Dosage form: Tablets, 100 mg; Ampoules, 25 mg/ml -10 ml
Uses: Aminophylline is a combination of theophylline and ethylenediamine. Its actions and uses are similar to those of theophylline but it is more soluble in water than theophylline and is preferred for intravenous administration in the treatment of acute severe asthma.
Aminophylline is used mainly for the relief of bronchospsasm in asthma. It has a narrow therapeutic range and serum-theophylline concentrations should be monitored during therapy. Adverse effects commonly affect the gastrointestinal tract and CNS. Following overdosage tremor, delirium, tachycardia, convulsions, and death may occur.

Administration Oral: Adults: 1-3 tablets by mouth 3-4 times daily.
Children older than I year: 13-16 mg/kg bodyweight daily in 4 divided doses, if necessary to be increased to an individual maintenance dose of up to 20 mg/kg bodyweight daily (see Warnings).
Parenteral: Adults: 250 mg by slow intravenous injection, if necessary continued by infusion of 0.9 mg/kg bodyweight per hour.
Children: 4 mg/kg bodyweight every 8 hours. Aminophylline is preferably given intravenously by slow (10-15 minutes) injection.
Intramuscular injection is possible though very painful (local anaesthetic can be added).
Observe The side-effects: Commonly encountered with Aminophylline and its derivatives irrespective of the route of administration, are gastro-intestinal irritation and stimulation of the central nervous system. Aminophylline may cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, gastro-intestinal bleeding, insomnia, headache, anxiety, restlessness, dizziness, and palpitations. Severe overdosage or idiosyncrasy may also lead to maniacal behavior, diuresis and repeated vomiting with extreme thirst, tremor, delirium, hyperthermia, tachycardia, tachypnoe, electrolyte disturbances, convulsions, and death. Severe toxicity may not be preceded by milder symptoms. Hypotension may follow intravenous injection, particularly if the injection is too rapid, and sudden deaths have been reported. Proctitis may follow repeated administration of suppositories and intramuscular injections are painful, the pain lasting several hours.

Young children are specially sensitive to overdosage which is often caused by accumulation due to slow elimination of Aminophylline. Toxic symptoms may include headache and vomiting with blood.
Aminophylline should be administered with caution to elderly patients and to those suffering from cardiac or liver-disease.
Storage: Store in a cool and dry place in airtight container, away from light. Keep out of reach of children.