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Drug Details

UNIPHYLLIN CONTINUS

• Drug Class Description
  Xanthines (bronchodilators).
• Generic Name
  Theophylline - bronchospasm
• Presentation
  Tablets, theophylline 200mg , 300mg , 400mg .
• Description
  200 mg white scored capsule- shaped sustained-release tablets marked U200; 300 mg white scored capsule-shaped sustained-release tablets marked U300; 400 mg white scored capsule-shaped sustained- release tablets marked U400, tablet name and NAPP.
• Indications
  

  Bronchospasm in chronic bronchitis, asthma and chronic obstructive airways disease.

• Adult Dosage
  Under 70 kg, 200 mg 12 hourly for one week, then 300 mg 12 hourly; over 70 kg, 200 - 300 mg 12 hourly for one week, then 400 mg 12 hourly.
• Child Dosage
  Under 7 years, not recommended; over 7 years, 9 mg/kg 12 hourly.
• Contra Indications
  Concomitant use with ephedrine in children.
• Special Precautions
  Cardiac or liver disease, peptic ulceration. Pregnancy, lactation.
• Interactions
  Clearance of xanthines is reduced by allopurinol, carbimazole, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, diltiazem, disulfiram, erythromycin, fluconazole, fluvoxamine, interferon, isoniazid, isoprenaline, methotrexate, mexiletine, nizatidine, norfloxacin, oxpentifylline (pentoxifylline), propafenone, propranolol, ofloxacin, tiabendazole (thiabendazole), verapamil, viloxazine. Measure plasma levels, dose reduction of xanthine may be necessary to avoid side effects. Clearance of xanthines is increased by aminoglutethimide, carbamazepine, moracizine, phenytoin, rifampicin, sulfinpyrazone (sulphinpyrazone), barbiturates, smoking, alcohol consumption. Dose of xanthine may need to be increased to achieve therapeutic effect.
• Adverse Drug Reactions
  Nausea, gastric irritation, headache, CNS stimulation.