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- $Unique_ID{BRK03347}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{theophylline and guaifenesin combination}
- $Subject{Asbron G Sandoz Bronchial Glyceryl-T Lanophyllin-GG Lannett Quiagen
- Goldline Quibron Bristol Labs 300 Slo-Phyllin GG Rorer Synophylate-GG Central
- Theocolate My-K Labs Theolate Bronchodilator expectorant Stheophylline
- guaifenesin breathing problems wheezing shortness breath asthma, bronchitis
- emphysema smooth muscle bronchial airways breathing tubes air passages loosen
- phlegm discharge mucus respiratory tract secretions}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- theophylline and guaifenesin combination
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Asbron G (Sandoz)
- Bronchial (various manufacturers)
- Glyceryl-T (Rugby)
- Lanophyllin-GG (Lannett)
- Quiagen (Goldline)
- Quibron (Bristol Labs)
- Quibron 300 (Bristol Labs)
- Slo-Phyllin GG (Rorer)
- Synophylate-GG (Central)
- Theocolate (My-K Labs)
- Theolate (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Bronchodilator and expectorant
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- Stheophylline and guaifenesin
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (137 mg or 138 mg theophylline and 100 mg guaifenesin)
- Capsules (150 mg theophylline and 90 mg guaifenesin; 300 mg theophylline
- and 180 mg quaifenesin)
-
- Oral liquid (100 mg theophylline and 100 mg guaifenesin; 137 mg
- theophylline and 100 mg guaifenesin; and 150 mg theophylline and 90 mg
- guaifenesin per 15-ml spoonful, some with alcohol {10% or 15%})
-
- STORAGE
-
- Theophylline and guaifenesin combination tablets, capsules, and oral
- liquid should be stored at room temperature in tightly closed containers.
- This medication should never be frozen. Discard any outdated medication or
- medication that is no longer needed.
-
- USES
-
- Theophylline and guaifenesin combination medication is prescribed to
- treat breathing problems (wheezing and shortness of breath) caused by asthma,
- bronchitis, or emphysema. Theophylline relaxes the smooth muscle of the
- bronchial airways (breathing tubes), which opens up the air passages, allowing
- air to move more easily to and from the lungs. Guaifenesin is an expectorant
- that is used to loosen phlegm, thin bronchial secretions, and promote
- discharge of mucus from the respiratory tract.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- Theophylline and guaifenesin should be taken on an empty stomach 30 to 60
- minutes before a meal or two hours after a meal. If this medication causes
- stomach irritation, however, you can take it with food or with a full glass of
- water or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Antidiarrheal medications and some antacids prevent the absorption of
- theophylline. Therefore, at least one hour should separate doses of these two
- types of medication.
- The dose of the oral liquid should be measured carefully with a 5-ml
- measuring spoon or a dose cup designed for that purpose. An ordinary kitchen
- teaspoon is not accurate enough.
- Theophylline works best when the concentration of medicine in your
- bloodstream is kept constant. It is best, therefore, to take the doses at
- evenly spaced intervals day and night. For example, if you are to take four
- doses a day, the doses should be spaced six hours apart.
- Try not to miss any doses of this medication. If you do miss a dose,
- take the missed dose as soon as possible, unless it is almost time for the
- next dose. Do not take more than the recommended dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Diarrhea, dizziness, flushing, headache, heartburn, increased urination,
- insomnia, irritability, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, paleness,
- stomach pain, or vomiting. These side effects should disappear as your body
- adjusts to the medication.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, sit or lie down for a while; get up
- slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
- This medication may cause you to cough more frequently. Coughing is your
- body's way of discharging the mucus from the respiratory tract. This
- medication loosens and thins the mucus in your respiratory tract, making your
- cough more productive.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- black, tarry stools; confusion; convulsions; difficulty in breathing;
- fainting; muscle twitches; palpitations; rash; severe abdominal pain; or
- unusual weakness.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Theophylline interacts with several other types of drugs:
- 1. It can increase the effects (diuresis, or increased urination) of
- furosemide.
- 2. Concurrent use of reserpine and theophylline can cause a rapid heart
- rate.
- 3. Beta blockers (acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol,
- labetalol, metoprolol, nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol)
- can decrease the effectiveness of theophylline.
- 4. Theophylline can increase the side effects of over-the-counter
- (nonprescription) sinus, cough, cold, asthma, allergy, and diet products;
- digoxin; and oral anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin).
- 5. Theophylline can decrease the effectiveness of phenytoin and lithium.
- 6. Phenobarbital, carbamazepine, and rifampin can increase the
- elimination of theophylline from the body, decreasing its effectiveness.
- 7. Cimetidine, erythromycin, troleandomycin, oral contraceptives (birth
- control pills), allopurinol, and thiabendazole can decrease the elimination of
- theophylline from the body and increase its side effects.
- Before starting to take this medication, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
- about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
- above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine,
- dyphylline, oxtriphylline, theobromine, or guaifenesin.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had an enlarged
- prostate gland, fibrocystic breast disease, heart disease, kidney disease, low
- or high blood pressure, liver disease, stomach ulcers, or thyroid disease.
- * Cigarette or marijuana smoking may affect this drug's action. BE SURE
- TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR if you smoke. Also, do not suddenly stop smoking without
- informing your doctor.
- * High fever, diarrhea, the flu, or an influenza vaccination can also
- affect the action of this drug. You should tell your doctor about episodes of
- high fever or prolonged diarrhea. Before having any vaccinations, especially
- those to prevent the flu, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR that you are taking this
- medication.
- * Avoid drinking large amounts of caffeine-containing beverages (coffee,
- cocoa, tea, or cola drinks), and avoid eating large amounts of chocolate.
- These products may increase the side effects of theophylline.
- * While you are taking this medication, drink at least eight glasses of
- water a day to help loosen bronchial secretions (unless your doctor directs
- you to do otherwise).
- * Do not change brands of this medication without your doctor's
- permission. If you receive a refill, and the medication looks different,
- consult your doctor or pharmacist.
- * Do not change your diet without first consulting your doctor. A
- high-protein, low-carbohydrate diet or charbroiled foods can affect the action
- of this drug.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Your doctor may want you to have regular blood tests done to make sure
- this medication is working properly.
- * Elderly patients and young children are more sensitive to the effects
- of this medication.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although theophylline
- appears to be safe during pregnancy, extensive studies in humans have not been
- conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding. Small amounts
- of theophylline pass into breast milk and may cause irritability, fretfulness,
- and insomnia in nursing infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-