ELIXOPHYLLIN

Theophylline, Anhydrous 80mg/15mL, Oral solution

Caffeine-containing Foods/Beverages

· Severity: Moderate

· Notes for Consumers: Side effects from Theophylline may get worse if you take too much Caffeine. Side effects may include nausea, irritability, nervousness, rapid heart-beat, tremors, or difficulty sleeping. Limit Caffeine intake while taking Theophylline. Common foods and beverages containing caffeine include coffee, teas, colas and chocolate. Many non-prescription drugs and diet aids may also contain caffeine. Discuss any new or worsening side effects with your health care provider.

· Notes for Professionals: Caffeine is a CNS stimulant. The concurrent administration of caffeine to patients taking theophylline may produce excessive caffeine-like side effects, such as nausea, irritability or nervousness. Adverse effects such as tremors, insomnia, seizures, or cardiac arrhythmias are also possible when excessive dosages of caffeine are taken concurrently with theophylline. Patients taking theophylline should avoid medications containing caffeine when possible. Patients may also need to limit their intake of caffeine-containing beverages or foods (e.g., coffee, green tea, other teas, colas, or chocolate) to avoid caffeine-like side effects.

Theophylline, Anhydrous 80mg/15mL, Oral solution

Tobacco

· Severity: Major

· Notes for Consumers: Tobacco smoke contains substances that may speed the removal of Theophylline from the body; if you start smoking, the Theophylline may become less effective. Just the opposite occurs when someone stops smoking tobacco; if you stop smoking this may increase the amount of Theophylline in the blood. Side effects from Theophylline may get worse. Too much Theophylline can cause nausea, nervousness, or sleeplessness, and occasionally other effects like rapid heartbeat, tremor, or seizures. Notify your prescriber if any of these effects occur. Your prescriber may need to closely monitor the blood level of Theophylline whenever a change in tobacco smoking occurs, so inform your prescriber if you are a smoker or if you are going to stop smoking.

· Notes for Professionals: Tobacco smoking results in an increased clearance of theophylline that is clinically significant. The sudden cessation of tobacco smoking may result in a reduced clearance of theophylline, despite the initiation of a nicotine replacement product. Theophylline serum concentrations should be monitored carefully when changes in smoking status occur. No interaction is expected to directly occur from the use of tobacco replacement products with theophylline.

<b>DISCLAIMER:</b><em> This drug information content is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Patients should always consult their physician with any questions regarding a medical condition and to obtain medical advice and treatment. Drug information is sourced from GSDD (Gold Standard Drug Database ) provided by Elsevier.</em>