Etophylline
About Etophylline
Etophylline belongs to the class of drugs called bronchodilators used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes).
Etophylline contains Etophylline which works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Thus, it makes breathing easier.
Take Etophylline as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Etophylline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience nausea, vomiting, headache, restlessness, nervousness, rapid heart rate, or stomach upset. Most of these side effects of Etophylline do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are allergic to Etophylline or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Etophylline. Do not take Etophylline if you have heart rhythm disorder. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning, or last longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment.
Uses of Etophylline
Medicinal Benefits
Etophylline contains Etophylline, a bronchodilator used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Etophylline works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Thus, it makes breathing easier. Etophylline may also be used in combination with salbutamol or theophylline.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Etophylline
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Nervousness
- Rapid heart rate
- Stomach upset
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Etophylline or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. If your breathing worsens or you often wake up at night with asthma, experience chest tightness in the morning, or last longer than usual, please consult a doctor immediately as these might be signs indicating that your asthma is not controlled properly and requires an alternate or additional treatment. Regular monitoring of potassium levels is recommended while taking Etophylline as it may cause low potassium levels in the blood. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, it is advised to inform your doctor before using Etophylline. Do not take Etophylline if you have heart rhythm disorder. Avoid taking Etophylline if you have a history of a heart attack.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Etophylline may interact with an antidepressant (clomipramine, desipramine, amitriptyline, amoxapine), antibiotics (linezolid).
Drug-Food Interaction: Etophylline may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid or limit the intake of caffeine with Etophylline as it may increase side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have kidney, liver, or heart problems, inform your doctor before taking Etophylline.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Etophylline with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol while using Etophylline.
Pregnancy
cautionPlease consult a doctor if you are pregnant. Etophylline is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks benefits outweigh risks.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown whether Etophylline is excreted in human milk. Etophylline is given to breastfeeding mothers only if the doctor thinks benefits are greater than risks.
Driving
cautionDrive only if you are alert after taking Etophylline.
Liver
cautionTake Etophylline with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Etophylline if you have severe liver disease.
Kidney
cautionTake Etophylline with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required. Avoid taking Etophylline if you have severe kidney disease.
Children
cautionPlease consult a doctor before using Etophylline for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat foods rich in potassium such as tomatoes, bananas, asparagus, oranges, potatoes, avocados, dark leafy greens, and beetroots as potassium is important for lung function and a deficiency in potassium may cause breathing problems.
- Drink plenty of fluids every day to thin mucus which makes it easier to cough out.
- Avoid foods such as cabbage, beans, garlic, onions, shrimp, pickled food, dried fruits, fried foods, carbonated drinks, wine, bottled lemon and lime juice as it may worsen asthma symptoms.
- Exercise regularly to strengthen your breathing muscles and boost your immune system. Learning breathing exercises will help you move more air in and out of your lungs.
- Do meditation, deep breathing, regular exercise, and try progressive muscle relaxation techniques to get relief from stress and reduce the risk of an asthma attack.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of the Etophylline and irritate the lungs worsening breathing problems.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Asthma: It is a chronic (long-term) respiratory condition in which airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, leading to difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma include wheezing (whistling sound while breathing), shortness of breath, chest tightness, and cough, especially at night. The symptoms of mild persistent asthma may occur more than 2 times a week and up to 4 nights in a month, whereas, in the case of severe persistent asthma, the symptoms occur several times every day and most nights. The treatment for asthma includes medication, breathing exercises, and self-care
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): It is a group of lung diseases with emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes). The major cause of COPD is smoking tobacco. Also, long-term exposure to fumes and chemicals may lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath, or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Etophylline contains Etophylline that works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Thus, it makes breathing easier.
You are not recommended to take linezolid with Etophylline as it may increase the risk of adverse effects of Etophylline. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Etophylline.
You are recommended to avoid taking Etophylline if you are allergic to etophylline or suffering from irregular heart rhythm, severe liver or kidney diseases or have a history of a heart attack. However, inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions before taking Etophylline.
You are not recommended to stop taking Etophylline without consulting your doctor as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Etophylline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it and if you experience any difficulty while taking Etophylline, please consult your doctor.
Etophylline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
