Theophylline (Intravenous)

Theophylline injection is used along with other medicines to treat sudden symptoms of asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and other lung diseases in a hospital setting.

Theophylline is part of a group of medicines called bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are medicines that relax the muscles in the bronchial tubes (air passages) of the lungs. They help relieve cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing by increasing the flow of air through the bronchial tubes.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is very important that your doctor checks how you or your child are doing while receiving this medicine. Blood tests may be needed to look for unwanted effects.

A change in your usual behavior or health may affect how this medicine works in your body. Tell your doctor if you or your child:

• Have had a fever of 102 degrees F or higher for at least 24 hours or more.
• Have started or stopped smoking tobacco or marijuana in the last few weeks.
• Have started or stopped taking another medicine in the last few weeks.
• Have changed your diet in the last few weeks.

Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have any of the following symptoms after using this medicine: nausea or vomiting that continues, headaches, trouble sleeping, seizures, or irregular heartbeats.

Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you or your child are using this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine.

This medicine may increase the central nervous system (CNS) stimulant effects of foods or drinks that contain caffeine, such as chocolate, cocoa, tea, coffee, and cola drinks. Avoid eating or drinking large amounts of these items while using this medicine. If you have questions about this, ask your doctor.

Do not take other medicines unless your doctor has discussed them with you. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, as well as herbal or vitamin supplements.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor will weigh the risks against the benefits. For this medicine, consider the following:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had an unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, tell your healthcare provider about any other allergies you might have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems that would make the use of theophylline injection in children less useful. However, children under 1 year old are more likely to experience serious side effects, which may require careful monitoring and possible dose adjustments for those receiving theophylline injection.

Geriatric

Studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of theophylline injection in older adults. However, elderly patients may respond more strongly to the effects of theophylline injection than younger adults, which may require careful monitoring and possible dose adjustments for those receiving theophylline injection.

Breast Feeding

Research suggests that this medication poses minimal risk to the infant when used during breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. In these situations, your doctor may need to adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is important for your healthcare provider to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are chosen based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Riociguat
• Viloxazine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Abametapir
• Adalimumab
• Adenosine
• Amifampridine
• Bupropion
• Capmatinib
• Ceritinib
• Cimetidine
• Ciprofloxacin
• Deferasirox
• Desogestrel
• Dienogest
• Dihydroartemisinin
• Donepezil
• Drospirenone
• Enoxacin
• Erythromycin
• Estetrol
• Estradiol
• Ethinyl Estradiol
• Ethynodiol
• Etintidine
• Etonogestrel
• Febuxostat
• Fluconazole
• Fluvoxamine
• Fosphenytoin
• Gestodene
• Givosiran
• Halothane
• Idrocilamide
• Imipenem
• Ketamine
• Leniolisib
• Levofloxacin
• Levonorgestrel
• Medroxyprogesterone
• Mestranol
• Methacholine
• Mexiletine
• Nomegestrol
• Norelgestromin
• Norethindrone
• Norgestimate
• Norgestrel
• Paroxetine
• Pefloxacin
• Peginterferon Alfa-2a
• Peginterferon Alfa-2b
• Phenytoin
• Pixantrone
• Regadenoson
• Ritlecitinib
• Rofecoxib
• Segesterone
• Taurursodiol
• Thiabendazole
• Tocilizumab
• Troleandomycin
• Vemurafenib
• Zileuton

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both may be necessary for your treatment. If prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you take one or both of the medicines.

• Adinazolam
• Alprazolam
• Aminoglutethimide
• Amiodarone
• Azithromycin
• Bentazepam
• Bromazepam
• Brotizolam
• Carbamazepine
• Chlordiazepoxide
• Clobazam
• Clonazepam
• Clorazepate
• Delorazepam
• Diazepam
• Disulfiram
• Estazolam
• Flunitrazepam
• Flurazepam
• Halazepam
• Interferon Alfa-2a
• Ipriflavone
• Isoproterenol
• Ketazolam
• Loprazolam
• Lorazepam
• Lormetazepam
• Medazepam
• Metaclazepam
• Methotrexate
• Midazolam
• Nilutamide
• Nitrazepam
• Oxazepam
• Pancuronium
• Pentoxifylline
• Phenobarbital
• Pinazepam
• Piperine
• Prazepam
• Propafenone
• Quazepam
• Remimazolam
• Rifampin
• Rifapentine
• Ritonavir
• Secobarbital
• St John's Wort
• Tacrine
• Telithromycin
• Temazepam
• Tetrazepam
• Ticlopidine
• Triazolam
• Zafirlukast

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around the time of eating food or certain types of food due to possible interactions. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. The following interactions are selected based on their potential significance and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or provide special instructions regarding food, alcohol, or tobacco use.

• Tobacco

Using this medicine with any of the following may increase the risk of certain side effects, but may be necessary in some situations. If used together, your doctor may adjust the dose or give special instructions regarding food, alcohol, or tobacco use.

• Caffeine

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how you can use this medicine. Be sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Congestive heart failure or
• Cor pulmonale (heart condition) or
• Fever of 102 degrees F or higher for 24 hours or more or
• Hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) or
• Severe infection (e.g., sepsis) or
• Kidney disease in infants younger than 3 months of age or
• Liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis, hepatitis) or
• Pulmonary edema (lung condition) or
• Shock (serious condition with very little blood flow in the body)—Use with caution. The effects may be increased because the medicine may be removed from the body more slowly.

• Heart rhythm problems (e.g., arrhythmia) or
• Seizures, or history of or
• Stomach ulcer—Use with caution. May worsen these conditions.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Blurred vision
• chest pain or discomfort
• cough
• dizziness
• fainting
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• headache
• increase in urine volume
• infection at the injection site
• lightheadedness
• pain or redness at the site of injection
• pale skin at the site of injection
• persistent vomiting
• pounding or rapid pulse
• rapid breathing
• seizures
• shakiness
• shortness of breath
• swelling of the lower legs or arms
• tenderness, pain, swelling, warmth, skin discoloration, and prominent superficial veins over the affected area
• weight gain

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• confusion
• confusion about identity, place, and time
• dark-colored urine
• decrease in frequency of urination
• decreased urine
• diarrhea
• difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
• dry mouth
• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
• fever
• increased thirst
• irregular heartbeat
• loss of appetite
• mood changes
• muscle cramps or spasms
• muscle pain or stiffness
• nausea or vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
• pain or discomfort in the arms, jaw, back, or neck
• painful urination
• shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
• shortness of breath
• sweating
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Headache
• irritability
• restlessness
• sleeplessness
• trouble sleeping
• unable to sleep

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Available Dosage Forms:

• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Bronchodilator

Chemical Class: Methylxanthine

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine in a hospital. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.