Theophylline

General

• Type: a
• Dosage Forms: 100,200,300,400,450,600 ER; 80/15 mL; IV
• Common Trade Names: Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Uniphyl

Special Populations

• Pregnancy Rating: C
• Lactation: Probably Safe
• Renal Dosing
  • Adult: no adjustment
  • Pediatric: <3 mo: decr. dose amount not defined; >3 mo: no adjustment
• Hepatic Dosing
  • Adult: decr. dose amount not defined
  • Pediatric: decr. dose amount not defined

Contraindications

• Allergy to class/drug
• caution if PUD, active
• caution if seizure disorder
• caution if arrhythmias
• caution if CHF
• caution if pulmonary edema, acute
• caution if cor pulmonale
• caution if hepatic impairment
• caution if hypothyroidism
• caution if febrile
• caution if sepsis w/ multi-organ failure
• caution if shock
• caution if smoking habit changes
• caution if neonates or infants
• caution in elderly patients

Adverse Reactions

Serious

• seizures
• arrhythmias
• hypotension
• shock
• exfoliative dermatitis

Common

• nausea
• vomiting
• headache
• insomnia
• diarrhea
• irritability
• restlessness
• tremor
• diuresis, transient

Pharmacology

• Half-life: 8h
• Metabolism: liver; CYP450: 1A2, 2E1, 3A3
• Excretion: urine (10% unchanged)
• Mechanism of Action: exact mechanism unknown; increases cAMP; antagonizes adenosine receptors (methylxanthine)