Aminophylline For Asthma

About aminophylline

Aminophylline is an oral bronchodilator medicine which is prescribed for people with breathing problems, such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It is a medicine that you take by mouth as a tablet. It is also available as an injection, but this is usually given in a hospital environment. Aminophylline is actually a mixture of a medicine called theophylline, and ethylenediamine. The ethylenediamine is used to improve how well the active medicine, the theophylline, dissolves.

It works by opening up the air passages in your lungs so that air can flow into your lungs more freely. This makes breathing easier and helps relieve symptoms such as coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

How to take aminophylline

•     Before starting this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about aminophylline and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

•     Aminophylline is taken twice a day, in the morning and evening. There are two different strengths of tablet available, and you will be asked to take either one or two tablets for each of your doses. Your dose may be adjusted over the first few weeks depending on the results of some blood tests. The tests allow your doctor to make sure that you have the dose that helps your condition, but avoids any unwanted symptoms. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you what strength of tablet is right for you and how many tablets to take for each dose. Your dose will also be on the label of the pack to remind you.

•     Try to take your doses at the same times each day, as this will help you to remember to take them. You can take the tablets before or after meals.

•     Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water. Do not chew, break, or crush them.

    If you forget to take a dose but it is still within four hours of the time you should have taken it, take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is more than four hours since you should have taken it, do not take the missed dose but do remember to take your next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses together to make up for a forgotten dose.

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