Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Aminophylline

Aminophylline: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What is Aminophylline?

Aminophylline is a compound that comprises theophylline and ethylenediamine. The ratio of theophylline to ethylenediamine in Aminophylline is 2:1. Aminophylline is an ethylenediamine salt of theophylline. It relaxes smooth muscles of bronchial air passage and blood vessels. Aminophylline is a bronchodilator used to treat lung diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD. This drug is also used to simulate the heart in congestive heart failure. The majority of Aminophylline drugs are discontinued.

What are the uses of Aminophylline?

Aminophylline is a bronchodilator mainly used to relieve bronchospasm related to asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. This medication is used for the treatment of:

  • Shortness of breath.
  • Noisy breathing or wheezing.
  • Emphysema.
  • Chronic bronchitis.

Though Aminophylline controls the symptoms of asthma, it cannot completely cure it. The drug opens the lung’s air passage, making breathing easy.

Aminophylline can be taken orally in the form of tablets or syrup on an empty stomach. Do not chew the medicine; only swallow it. It can also be used as a suppository to insert rectally. Consult our medical experts available 24*7 at Yashoda Hospitals for more details.

You should take certain precautions before taking Aminophylline. Consult with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms after taking Aminophylline. These are as follows:

  • Nausea.
  • Vomiting.
  • Headache.
  • Insomnia.
  • Seizures.
  • Irregular heartbeat.

Avoid caffeine-containing foods with this medicine due to adverse effects on the central nervous system. Also, do not take over-the-counter medication during the treatment without discussing it with your doctor.

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    What are the side effects of Aminophylline?

    Certain side effects, which may not need any medical attention, such as:

    • Abdominal pain.
    • Diarrhoea.
    • Headache.
    • Restlessness.
    • Insomnia.
    • Irritability.

    Seek medical attention from our experts if you have symptoms like:

    • Increased heart rate.
    • Skin abrasions.
    • Vomiting.
    • Seizures.

    In case you have taken an overdose, you may face the following problems:

    • Blurred vision.
    • Decrease in frequency of urine.
    • Confusion.
    • Loss of appetite.
    • Nervousness.
    • Fever.
    • Muscle pain or stiffness.

    What is Aminophylline

    Uses of Aminophylline

    Side effects of Aminophylline

    References

    1. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/Aminophylline.html
    2. https://go.drugbank.com/drugs/DB01223
    3. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/Aminophylline

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Aminophylline

    Aminophylline belongs to the class of bronchodilators. The function of bronchodilators is to relax the muscles of the bronchial tube. It makes the passage of air in and out easy. Aminophylline relieves shortness of breath, wheezing, and opens the air passage in the lungs. It is used to treat irritation, inflammation, or allergic reaction of the airways. These may occur due to asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.

    Aminophylline is not recommended to patients who are hypersensitive to theophylline, ethylenediamine, or any other drug component. Before starting the treatment, consult a medical expert. Precautions are to be taken by patients with concurrent illnesses, such as cardiac problems, renal impairment, hypo/hyperthyroidism, hepatic dysfunction, epilepsy, or active peptic ulcer disease.

    Aminophylline is a short-acting drug. It comes into effect immediately after being administered. Aminophylline majorly contains theophylline. Theophylline medication, once taken, starts working within 30 minutes. Aminophylline lasts for 4 to 6 hours in the body. Since it is short-acting, regular repeat doses of the medication are needed for long-term treatment.

    Yes, Aminophylline can be injected inside the patient’s body by slow intravenous injection or by diluting Aminophylline by intravenous infusion. A compatible infusion fluid is administered using a rate-controlled infusion pump. Regular monitoring by the medical staff is needed. The infusions should be continued at least for 24 hours. However, it may be further extended to 48 hours by your doctor.

    No, Aminophylline is no longer used these days and so is not available in the market. Aminophylline drugs, used to treat and prevent bronchospasm in asthma and COPD, are being discontinued. Adenosine and dobutamine can be used as alternatives to Aminophylline. The alternatives to Aminophylline also include theophylline and caffeine.

    No, Aminophylline or any of its combinations do not affect blood pressure. Aminophylline contains theophylline, which increases the heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Though Aminophylline shows hemodynamic effects, it does not obstruct the path of bronchial tubes. It does not harm patients with respiratory diseases or heart problems.

    Aminophylline increases the heart rate and contractility of a patient. According to clinical studies, Aminophylline or theophylline medication is administered to a COPD patient orally. It enhances both right and left heart systolic pump function. It also lowers both pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance.

    Yes, Aminophylline is a diuretic. It is a drug that causes kidneys in adults and neonates to make more urine and pass all the extra fluid and salt from the body. Aminophylline exerts a renovascular effect. It is acted by adenosine receptor blockade or type IV phosphodiesterase inhibition. These drugs are used in combination with furosemide to induce diuresis.

    Per clinical studies, Aminophylline infusions should be continued for 24 hours. However, after regular monitoring by medical experts, it may be further extended to 48 hours. The estimated half-life of an Aminophylline drug is around 3 to 5 hours. However, your doctor may reduce the dose to half after every 6 hours.

    Continuous monitoring of therapeutic index and serum levels of Aminophylline is required, particularly during the initiation of therapy. Besides, oral Aminophylline should be checked before increasing the dose or if signs of toxicity are observed. In general, Aminophylline serum concentrations should be measured for nearly 4-hours in children and around 8-hours in adults. The infusion levels are further administered every 12 to 24 hours.