Contents
- What is Theophylline?
- How does theophylline work?
- What diseases are treated with theophylline?
- How is theophylline obtained?
- What is theophylline level test?
- Why are theophylline levels measured?
- What are the contraindications for taking theophylline?
- What side effects can theophylline cause?
- What are the blood levels of theophylline?
Unhealthy air, heavy smoking or frequent exposure to smokers, allergies – these and many other factors can cause serious respiratory illnesses. One of the most commonly used substances for this type of problem is theophylline.
What is Theophylline?
Theophylline is a drug that has many uses, but it is most often used to treat so-called obstructive airway diseases. It is an organic compound that is found in some foods, including tea leaves and cocoa beans.
How does theophylline work?
Theophylline has a direct effect on breathing as it reduces breathlessness and also dilates the bronchial tubes so that the person with the disease can breathe more easily. Theophylline also widens the blood vessels and has a diuretic and biliary relaxant effect.
What diseases are treated with theophylline?
As already mentioned, theophylline is primarily used to treat obstructive airways diseases. The most common diseases of this type are asthma and COPD, i.e. chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Asthma patients have frequent shortness of breath, dry, paroxysmal cough, and are often accompanied by wheezing. Asthma can be a genetic cause, but it can also be associated with allergies, smoking, respiratory infections, and even obesity.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is mainly characterized by air not flowing properly through the airways. Like patients with asthma, people with COPD often experience shortness of breath, chronic cough, and a frequent need to cough up sputum. The sick are most often heavy tobacco smokers.
How is theophylline obtained?
Although theophylline is an ingredient in some food products, it is most often obtained synthetically from dimethylurea and ethyl cyanoacetate for therapeutic purposes.
What is theophylline level test?
The determination of theophylline concentration is based on a blood test, which is usually taken from the most visible veins, i.e. those located in the so-called elbow fossa. Theophylline test is a fairly precise test, so it is recommended to do it about two hours after taking the dose of the drug or about five hours after the dose of the sustained-release drug.
Therefore, you should prepare for the theophylline concentration test in the same way as for a regular blood test, but it is worth consulting your doctor beforehand about the medications and supplements you are taking, because some of them can significantly affect the test result.
Why are theophylline levels measured?
Testing your theophylline levels is primarily done to check that the drug you are administering is effective. The amount of theophylline is important in cases of asthma and COPD, among others, and analyzing the amount in the blood helps, for example, to determine the correct dose of the drug.
What are the contraindications for taking theophylline?
As with most preparations, taking theophylline may not be beneficial for everyone. Contraindication to its use is primarily allergy to this ingredient, but also heart rhythm disturbances, recent heart attack, as well as hyperthyroidism or severe arterial hypertension. It is also not recommended if the patient suffers from epilepsy.
What side effects can theophylline cause?
Like many drugs, theophylline can cause some side effects. Most often it concerns people who are hypersensitive to this substance. Then, various gastrointestinal disorders can occur. The patient may suffer from nausea and vomiting, but may also experience heart palpitations, headaches, seizures and tachycardia. An overdose of theophylline is much more dangerous. At the concentration of this substance above 20 µg / ml, strong agitation, hyperthermia, and even cardiac arrest may occur. This is one of the reasons why it is so important to check the amount of theophylline in your blood regularly.
What are the blood levels of theophylline?
A blood test which determines the concentration of theophylline in the blood can only be adequately analyzed if the appropriate level of theophylline in the blood is taken into account. The therapeutic concentration is considered to be 10-20 mg / l for adults and 5-20 mg / l for children. Concentrations above 20 mg / l are considered toxic and may cause the symptoms described above.