Theophylline

What is this medication for?

Theophylline opens the airways in your lungs, making it easier to breathe. It works by relaxing the smooth muscles around your airways that can tighten in asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions.  

How should I take or use this medication?

• Take the medication as instructed by your healthcare professional. Do not stop your medication without consulting your healthcare professional.
• You may take this medication with or without food.
• Some theophylline tablets are made into sustained release formulations that provide a slow and continuous supply of medicine into your body. If you are taking sustained release forms of theophylline, you should swallow the whole tablet or break it into half along the score line. Do not crush or chew sustained release forms of theophylline. 

What should I do if I forget to take or use this medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is too close to the next dose, skip the dose and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together to make up for the missed dose. 

What precautions should I take when taking or using this medication?

Inform your healthcare professional if:

• You are allergic to this medication or any of the other ingredients of this medication
• You are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding
• You are taking any other medications, including supplements, traditional medications and herbal remedies.
• You are a smoker and want to stop smoking.
• You have the following medical conditions:
  • Seizures or fits
  • Stomach ulcers
  • Heart problems with fast or irregular heartbeat
  • Thyroid problems
  • Liver problems

What are some common side effects of this medication? ​

The common side effects include:

• Nausea and stomach upset (this can be reduced by taking theophylline after food)
• Fast heartbeat and palpitations
• Headache
• Flushing
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Shakiness or feeling anxious

These symptoms may occur but should get better over time. Check with your doctor if any of these symptoms worsens or do not go away.

What are some rare but serious side-effects that I need to seek medical advice immediately? 

The symptoms of a drug allergy include one or more of the following:

• Swollen face/eyes/lips/tongue
• Difficulty in breathing
• Itchy skin rashes over your whole body

You can also find out about drug allergies by watching these videos:

For videos in 中文, Melayu and தமிழ், click here.

Other serious side effects include:

• Vomiting that does not stop
• Increased, very fast or irregular heartbeat
• Seizures or fits

If you experience any of these symptoms, you should stop your medication and see your healthcare professional immediately. 

What food or medication should I avoid when I take or use this medication?

Some medications may interact with theophylline and affect the levels of theophylline in your body. Check with your healthcare professional to see if any of your medications interact with theophylline.

You should cut down on your intake of caffeine as it has similar effects to theophylline. Caffeine is commonly found in tea, coffee, chocolates, and cola.

Inform your doctor if you smoke or plan to quit smoking, as this can affect how your body processes theophylline.

How should I store this medication?

Store in a cool and dry place, away from direct sunlight. Keep this medication away from children.

How do I throw away this medication safely? ​

Pack this medication into a black trash bag and seal it tightly before throwing into the rubbish chute or bin.