Doxofylline
About Doxofylline
Doxofylline is used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Asthma is a respiratory disease in which the airways narrow, swell, and produce excess mucus, leading to difficulty breathing. COPD is a group of lung diseases that includes emphysema (shortness of breath) and chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes).
Doxofylline contains Doxofylline, which relaxes the muscles of the airways and lungs, making it easier to breathe. This reduces symptoms like wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath in asthma and COPD.
Some people may experience headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, irritability, insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep) or a fast heart rate. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, if the side effects persist, please consult your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you are allergic to Doxofylline. Doxofylline is contraindicated in acute myocardial infarction, low blood pressure (hypotension), lactating women and patients allergic to Doxofylline. Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy before taking Doxofylline.
Uses of Doxofylline
• Treats asthma: Helps relieve symptoms such as wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness by relaxing airway muscles.
• Manages chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): Improves airflow and reduces flare-ups in patients with chronic bronchitis or emphysema.
Medicinal Benefits
- Promotes better breathing by widening the airways.
- Patients with asthma and long-term respiratory conditions benefit from improved airflow and oxygen delivery.
- Reduces symptoms such as wheezing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath.
- Aids in the long-term management and avoidance of bronchospasm.
- It typically has fewer adverse effects on the heart and nervous system than theophylline.
- Aids in lowering airway inflammation.
Directions for Use
- Doxofylline can be taken with or without food, as advised by the doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication.
- Swallow Doxofylline as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, break, or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Doxofylline
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Irritability
- Insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep)
- Fast heart rate
Medicines Containing this Salt
View All
Drug Warnings
- If you are allergic to Doxofylline or any other medicines, please tell your doctor.
- You are recommended to avoid taking Doxofylline with chocolate and caffeinated foods, such as cocoa beans or tea leaves, as they may increase the risk of severe side effects.
- Doxofylline is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers.
- If you are pregnant or planning for pregnancy, please consult a doctor before using Doxofylline.
- Do not take Doxofylline if you have low blood pressure or have had a heart attack.
- Doxofylline should be used with caution in congestive heart failure patients, as these patients have slow drug clearance, leading to high blood levels even after stopping treatment with Doxofylline.
- If you have low blood pressure, congestive heart failure, hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood), hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), pulmonary heart diseases, stomach ulcer, kidney, liver or heart diseases, inform your doctor before taking Doxofylline.
- Doxofylline is not recommended for children under 6 years of age, as its safety and efficacy have not been fully established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines, as there may be an interaction.
- Antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin)
• Potential effect: May increase the risk of side effects. - Drugs used to lower high blood pressure (propranolol)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Doxofylline. - CNS stimulant drugs (ephedrine)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Doxofylline. - Seizures/fits medicine (phenytoin, carbamazepine)
• Potential effect: May reduce the effectiveness of Doxofylline.
Drug-Food Interaction: Doxofylline may interact with caffeine. Therefore, avoid consuming Doxofylline with chocolate and caffeine-containing foods, such as cocoa beans and tea leaves, as they may increase the risk of severe side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions.
- Low blood pressure
- Congestive heart failure
- Hypoxemia (low oxygen levels in the blood)
- Hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid)
- Pulmonary heart disease
- Stomach ulcers
- Kidney, liver, or heart disease
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
consult your doctorThe interaction of Doxofylline with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Doxofylline.
Pregnancy
consult your doctorThe safety of Doxofylline in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor believes the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDoxofylline is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. Please consult a doctor before taking Doxofylline if you are breastfeeding.
Driving
safe if prescribedDoxofylline usually does not affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionTake Doxofylline with caution, especially if you have a history of liver disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Doxofylline with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney disease. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
consult your doctorDoxofylline is not recommended for children under 6 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established. However, please consult a doctor before giving Doxofylline to children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
Diet changes:
- Limit your consumption of tea, coffee, cola, and chocolate as these substances can exacerbate negative effects when combined with medications that are comparable to theophylline.
- Consume lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to boost immunity and lung health.
- Fried and fatty foods can exacerbate stomach and respiratory issues.
- To assist thin mucus and make breathing more comfortable, drink lots of water.
Lifestyle changes
- Avoid dust, cigarette smoke, and air pollution to keep your respiratory issues from getting worse.
- To enhance lung capacity and respiratory health, engage in yoga, pranayama, and mild exercise.
- Maintain a healthy diet and active lifestyle to lessen lung strain and increase the efficacy of treatment.
Physical activity
- Try to do exercises that increase lung capacity and general breathing efficiency like swimming, cycling, and walking.
- Avoid strenuous activities that could trigger wheezing or dyspnea; instead, increase activity gradually as tolerated.
Stress management
- To maintain lung function and general mental health, get enough sleep on a regular basis.
- To elevate mood and lessen emotional stress, spend time with loved ones.
Special Advise
- Regular blood tests are recommended while taking Doxofylline to monitor potassium levels and levels of Doxofylline in the blood.
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 (a 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
Doxofylline belongs to the class of medications known as bronchodilators. It is used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Doxofylline contains Doxofylline, which belongs to the class of bronchodilators that work by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Additionally, Doxofylline possesses antitussive (cough suppressant) properties, helping to suppress cough. Thereby, makes breathing easier by opening airways.
You are recommended to avoid taking Doxofylline if you are allergic to Doxofylline or other xanthine derivatives if you are breastfeeding, suffering from low blood pressure or have had a heart attack. However, inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions before taking Doxofylline.
You are not recommended to take more than the prescribed dose of Doxofylline as it may cause overdose, resulting in irregular heartbeats and fits. However, if you experience any of these symptoms while taking Doxofylline, please consult a doctor immediately.
No, you are not recommended to smoke while taking Doxofylline as it may reduce the effectiveness of Doxofylline.
No, you are not recommended to stop taking Doxofylline without consulting your doctor, as it may worsen the condition or cause recurring symptoms. Therefore, take Doxofylline for as long as your doctor has prescribed it. If you experience any difficulty while taking Doxofylline, please consult your doctor.
No, Doxofylline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advisable to carry a rescue inhaler at all times to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
Doxofylline is not recommended for children under 6 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established. However, please consult a doctor before giving Doxofylline to children.
No, it belongs to the class of bronchodilators (methylxanthine bronchodilators) used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Doxofylline may cause side effects such as headaches, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, irritability, insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep) or a fast heart rate. Most of these side effects of Doxofylline do not require medical attention and typically resolve on their own over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
