Aminophylline is a drug used to relieve a number of complaints, such as shortness of breath, wheezing, or difficulty breathing, caused by asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), bronchitis, or emphysema. This drug is also sometimes used to treat heart failure or respiratory distress in premature infants.
Aminophylline works by widening the previously narrowed respiratory tract, so that air can flow to and from the lungs without obstruction. This drug is available in two preparations, namely tablets and injections.
Aminophylline trademark: Aminophylline, Decafil, Erphafillin, Phaminov
What is Aminophylline
| group | Prescription drugs |
| Category | Bronchodilators |
| Benefit | Relieve complaints in asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) |
| Used by | Adults and children. |
| Aminophylline for pregnant and lactating women | Category C: Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. Drugs should only be used if the expected benefit outweighs the risk to the fetus. Aminophylline can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablets and injections |
Precautions Before Using Aminophylline
Aminophylline should not be used carelessly. Some things to consider before using aminophylline are:
- Do not use aminophylline if you are allergic to this drug. Tell your doctor about any allergies you have.
- Tell your doctor if you have or have had seizures, epilepsy, heart disease, hypertension, liver disorders, porphyria, peptic ulcers, thyroid disease, or hypokalemia.
- Tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
- Tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines and supplements.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- Limit the consumption of foods or drinks containing caffeine during treatment with aminophylline, because it can increase the risk of side effects.
- If an allergic drug reaction occurs, a serious side effect, or an overdose after taking aminophylline, see a doctor immediately.
Dosage and Rules for Use of Aminophylline
The dose of aminophylline varies in each patient. The following are the doses of aminophylline based on the patient's age and health condition:
Condition: Acute shortness of breath
- Mature: For patients not taking theophylline, the initial dose is 5 mg/kgBW or 250–500 mg, over 20–30 minutes given by infusion. The maintenance dose is 0.5 mg/kg per hour.
- Mature: For patients taking theophylline, the dose may be delayed until the blood level of theophylline is known. If absolutely necessary, the dose can be given at 3.1 mg/kgBW.
- Children: The initial dose is the same as the adult dose. The maintenance dose is 1 mg/kgBW per hour for children aged 6 months–9 years and 0.8 mg/kgBW per hour for children aged 10–16 years.
Condition: Chronic shortness of breath
- Mature: 225–450 mg, 2 times daily. The dose can be increased if needed.
- Children with weight >40 kg: 225 mg, 2 times a day. The dose may be increased to 450 mg after 1 week of use.
How to Use Aminophylline Correctly
Follow your doctor's recommendations and read the instructions on the aminophylline packaging label before starting to use it.
Aminophylline tablets can be taken before or after meals. Use plain water to swallow the tablet. Do not chew, split, or crush the tablet as this may increase the risk of side effects.
If you forget to take aminophylline, take it immediately if the missed dose is not more than 4 hours apart. If it's been more than 4 hours, ignore it and continue dosing as usual. Do not double the dose of aminophylline to make up for a missed dose.
While using this medicine, make sure to always consult with your doctor regularly so that a blood test can be done to make sure the level of this drug in the body is not too high, and check the blood potassium level.
Do not stop taking aminophylline without consulting your doctor first, to prevent symptoms from reappearing.
Store aminophylline at room temperature and place in a closed container. Protect from direct sunlight. Keep out of reach of children.
Aminophylline Interaction with Other Drugs
The following are some of the effects of interactions that may occur when taking aminophylline together with other medicines:
- Decreased effectiveness and accelerated removal of aminophylline when used with carbabazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, or barbiturates
- Increased risk of aminophylline side effects when used with macrolide antibiotics, quinolones, or other drugs, such as allopurinol, carbimazole, cimetidine, diltiazem, fluconazole, halothane, interferon, isoniazid, methotrexate, thiabendazole, verapamil, or other xanthine derivatives, eg theophylline
- Decreased effectiveness of adenosine or beta-blocking drugs, such as carvedilol, propranolol, and atenolol
Aminophylline Side Effects and Dangers
Some side effects that may occur after using aminophylline are:
- Nervous
- Headache
- Feel tired
- Sleep disturbance
- Stomach ache
- Diarrhea
Consult a doctor if the complaints mentioned above do not subside or get worse. See a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug which can be characterized by symptoms such as an itchy rash on the skin, swelling of the eyelids and lips, or difficulty breathing.
You should also see a doctor immediately if you experience any of the following more serious side effects:
- The appearance of symptoms of hypokalemia (low potassium levels), such as muscle weakness and muscle cramps
- Symptoms of hyperglycemia (high blood sugar levels), such as confusion, frequent thirst and hunger, increased urine output, and rapid breathing
- Heart rhythm disturbances, including tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
- Fainting or seizure
- Constant vomiting