This medication is used in combination with other medicines to treat and prevent wheezing and trouble breathing caused by ongoing lung disease (e.g., asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis). Aminophylline belongs to a class of drugs known as xanthines. It works in the airways by relaxing muscles, opening air passages to improve breathing, and decreasing the lungs' response to irritants. Controlling symptoms of breathing problems can decrease time lost from work or school.

This medication is given into a vein by slow injection or through an IV, usually by a health care professional.

Follow all instructions for proper mixing with the correct IV fluids. Before using, check this product visually for particles or discoloration. If either is present, do not use the liquid. Repeated skin contact with the medicine while preparing the dose may lead to a rash. If you have any questions about the use of this medication, consult your pharmacist.

Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to therapy, age, drug blood levels, and other drugs you may be taking. (See also Drug Interactions section.)

Learn how to store and discard needles and medical supplies safely. Consult your pharmacist.

Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Stomach pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, headache, trouble sleeping, irritability, restlessness, nervousness, shaking, flushing, and increased urination may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: confusion, dizziness, mental/mood changes, muscle twitching/pain/tenderness/weakness, rapid breathing.

Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fainting, fast/slow/irregular heartbeat, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, seizures.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, red/scaly skin, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US -

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

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before using aminophylline, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to theophylline, theobromine, caffeine, or ethylenediamine; or if you have any other allergies.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: a certain breathing disorder (cystic fibrosis), a certain eye problem (glaucoma), diabetes, heart problems (e.g., congestive heart failure, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, current fever/flu-like symptoms, kidney disease, liver disease (e.g., cirrhosis), seizures, stomach/intestinal ulcer, thyroid disease.

This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to its effects. Careful monitoring of side effects and drug blood levels is recommended.

Caution is advised when using this drug in children, especially newborns and children younger than 1 year, because they may be more sensitive to its effects. Careful monitoring of side effects, drug blood levels, and dose adjustment is recommended.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Changes in your body during the last 3 months of pregnancy may affect the amount of this drug in your blood. Your doctor should carefully monitor the amount of drug in your blood, as well as any side effects, so that your dose may be changed if needed.

This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant (e.g., irritability). Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: adenosine, adrenaline-like drugs (e.g., ephedrine, phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine), allopurinol, aminoglutethimide, certain antiarrhythmic drugs (e.g., mexiletine, propafenone), certain anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), benzodiazepines (e.g., diazepam, flurazepam), certain beta blockers (e.g., propranolol), birth control pills, cimetidine, digoxin, disulfiram, fluvoxamine, interferon, macrolide antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin, clarithromycin), isoproterenol, lithium, methotrexate, moricizine, pentoxifylline, certain quinolones (e.g., ciprofloxacin, enoxacin), rifampin, St John's wort, sulfinpyrazone, tacrine, thiabendazole, ticlopidine, verapamil, zileuton.

Tobacco/marijuana smoking decreases blood levels of this medication. Tell your doctor if you smoke or have recently stopped smoking. Your dose of medication may need to be adjusted.

Caffeine and alcohol can increase the side effects of this medication. Avoid drinking large amounts of beverages containing alcohol or caffeine (e.g., coffee, tea, colas), or eating large amounts of chocolate.

Certain diets (e.g., high protein/low carbohydrate or high carbohydrate/low protein) may change the effect of aminophylline. Tell your doctor if you are following a dietary plan or eat beef every day. The dose of your medicine may need to be adjusted.

This medication may interfere with certain laboratory tests (e.g., blood sugar, cholesterol, uric acid, dipyridamole-thallium imaging tests), possibly causing false test results. Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Laboratory tests for theophylline blood levels may be affected by other drugs/foods, possibly causing false test results. Tell your doctor and laboratory personnel if you take or use any of the following products: caffeine, theobromine, chocolate, furosemide, sulfathiazole, phenylbutazone, probenecid, acetaminophen.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

Symptoms of overdose can occur at usual prescribed dosages of aminophylline. If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents should call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents should call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: agitation, nausea, frequent vomiting, unusual thirst, fever, ringing in the ears (tinnitus), fast/irregular heartbeat, seizures, confusion, chest pain.

Do not share this medication with others.

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., theophylline blood levels) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If the dose is interrupted, contact the doctor to establish a new dosing schedule/IV rate.

Store the unmixed solution at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Store the mixed solution at room temperature and use/discard within 24 hours. Do not freeze. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Information last revised July 2009 Copyright(c) 2009 First DataBank, Inc.