Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Feb 4, 2022.
Available Dosage Forms:
- Solution
Therapeutic Class: Bronchodilator
Chemical Class: Methylxanthine
Uses for theophylline
Theophylline injection is used together with other medicines to treat the acute symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases in a hospital setting.
Theophylline belongs to a group of medicines known as bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are medicines that relax the muscles in the bronchial tubes (air passages) of the lungs. They relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and troubled breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.
Theophylline is available only with your doctor's prescription.
Before using theophylline
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For theophylline, the following should be considered:
Allergies
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to theophylline or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
Pediatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated pediatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of theophylline injection in children. However, children younger than 1 year of age are more likely to have serious side effects, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving theophylline injection.
Geriatric
Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of theophylline injection in the elderly. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the effects of theophylline injection than younger adults, which may require caution and an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving theophylline injection.
Breastfeeding
Studies in women suggest that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.
