June 16, 2015

Theophylline

Theophylline
·         xanthine derivative
·         treats asthma and stable COPD to relax the bronchial smooth muscle
·         serum theophylline concentration of 10–20mg/L 
·         Symptoms of theophylline toxicity
o   Nausea
o   Vomiting
o   Gastric irritation
o   Diarrhea
o   Palpitations
o   Tachycardia
o   Arrhythmias
o   Headache
o   Central nervous system stimulation
o   Insomnia
o   Convulsions
·         Metabolized in the liver by CYP1A2
o   Cirrhosis, congestive heart failure, and hepatitis reduce theophylline clearance
·         Common drug interactions
o   Benzodiazepines
§  theophylline antagonizes the sedative and anxiolytic effects of benzodiazepines
o   H2-receptor antagonists
§  theophylline concentrations are increased by cimetidine
§  famotidine, nizatidine, and ranitidine do not interact
o   Ciprofloxacin
§  theophylline concentrations are increased
o   Erythromycin
§  theophylline concentrations are increased because theophylline clearance is reduced
o   Levothyroxine
§  theophylline concentrations are increased with hypothyroidism treatment
o   Methotrexate
§  theophylline concentrations are increased because theophylline clearance is reduced
§  might reduce methotrexate-induced neurotoxicity and methotrexate efficacy
o   Phenytoin
§  theophylline concentrations are decreased because increases the clearance of theophylline
·         Age
o   neonates and elderly have reduced theophylline clearance
·         Smokers
o   smokers need higher theophylline doses than non-smokers
o   tobacco smoke induces CYP1A2
o   smoking cessation results in increase in serum theophylline concentrations
o   reduce theophylline dose with smoking cessation
·         Adverse effects
o   risk of QT-interval prolongation with theophylline AND citalopram or fluoxetine together
o   low potassium, magnesium or calcium can cause QT prolongation

Source:
http://www.pharmaceutical-journal.com/learning/learning-article/theophylline-interactions/20065570.article
http://www.rxkinetics.com/manual.html