Oxtriphylline Description

Generic Name : OXTRIPHYLLINE

Pronunciation : (ox trye' fi lin)

Trade Name(s) : Choliphylline, Choline theophyllinate

Why it is prescribed: Oxtriphylline, a bronchodilator, relaxes and opens the air passages to the lungs, making it easier to breathe. It relieves shortness of breath, wheezing, and difficulty breathing caused by asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. It also suppresses asthma caused by exercise.

When it is to be taken: Oxtriphylline usually is taken every 6, 8, or 12 hours. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Oxtriphylline must be taken regularly to be effective. You may need to take it for a long time. Do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor; stopping the drug can make your condition worse.

How it should be taken:
1. Oxtriphylline comes in the form of coated and sustained-action tablets and oral liquid. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.
2. Take this medication with a full glass of water on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before or two hours after meals.
3. Do not chew or crush the tablets; swallow them whole.
4. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be sure of an accurate dose of the liquid.

Special Instruction :
1. Take Oxtriphylline exactly as your doctor has instructed. It can be harmful if you take more of it or take it more often than as directed.
2. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your doctor will want to evaluate your response to Oxtriphylline. If your condition dose not improve or if it worsens, contact your doctor.
3. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Drinking beverages containing caffeine and smoking cigarettes can affect the action of Oxtriphylline. Tell your doctor if you change your use of these substances; your Oxtriphylline dose may need to be adjusted.
4. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed dose.
5. If you become severely short of breath, contact your doctor.

Side Effects :
1. Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, abdominal cramps, loss of appetite. Take the medication with or immediately after meals or with an antacid or glass of liquid. If these problems persist, contact your doctor.
2. Headache, irritability, restlessness, nervousness, dizziness, frequent urination, twitching fingers and hands. If these effects are severe or persist, contact your doctor.
3. Insomnia, fast heartbeat, palpitations, fast breathing. Contact your doctor; your dose may need to be adjusted.
4. Skin rash. Contact your doctor immediately.
5. Overdose symptoms are unusual behavior, palpitations, irregular heartbeat, slight fever, fast breathing, sweating, extreme thirst, ringing ears, muscle twitching, frequent vomiting, seizures. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Before taking oxtriphylline, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially allopurinol, cimetidine, digoxin, erythromycin, lithium, propranolol, oral contraceptives, ciprofloxacin, rifampin, phenytoin, and medication for colds, allergies, or asthma.
2. Many nonprescription medications for relief of asthma or breathing problems contain a drug called theophylline. Taking over-the-counter theophylline with prescription oxtriphylline can cause nervousness, insomnia, nausea and vomiting, or overdose.
3. To avoid taking these drugs together without realizing it, carefully check the labels or nonprescription medications you are taking to be sure that they do not contain theophylline.
4. Do not take nonprescription cold, allergy, or asthma medications containing ephedrine, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine, or pseudoephedrine without consulting your doctor; these drugs can increase the side effects of oxtriphylline.
5. Before taking oxtriphylline, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breast-feeding or if you have glaucoma, ulcers, an overactive thyroid gland, diabetes, high blood pressure, or kidney, liver, heart, or blood vessel disease.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature, away from liquid and excess moisture.