Doxofylline
About Doxofylline
Doxofylline belongs to the class of drugs called bronchodilators primarily 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).
Doxofylline contains Doxofylline which works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Thereby, making breathing easier by opening airways.
Doxofylline will be administered by a healthcare professional; do not self-administer. Some people may experience headache, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, irritability, insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep), or fast heart rate. Most of these side effects of Doxofylline 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 Doxofylline or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. You are recommended to limit consumption of food and beverages containing caffeine as they may increase the risk of severity of 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 had a heart attack.
Uses of Doxofylline
Medicinal Benefits
Doxofylline is a bronchodilator and also possesses antitussive (cough suppressant) properties that is used to treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Doxofylline works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Additionally, Doxofylline helps in suppressing cough and makes breathing easier by opening airways. Doxofylline helps to prevent an asthma attack and exercise freely if it is taken before exercise or before expected exposure to irritants such as pollen, house dust, cigarette smoke and pets.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Doxofylline
- Headache
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Irritability
- Insomnia (difficulty in falling or staying asleep)
- Fast heart rate
Drug Warnings
If you are allergic to Doxofylline or any other medicines, please tell your doctor. You are recommended to limit consumption of food and beverages containing caffeine as they may increase the risk of severity of 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 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.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Doxofylline may interact with xanthine preparations, medicines used to treat gout (allopurinol), antacid (cimetidine), antibiotics (erythromycin, clindamycin, lincomycin), drugs used to lower high blood pressure (propranolol), central nervous system stimulant (ephedrine), flu vaccine (influenza vaccine) and anticonvulsants (phenytoin),
Drug-Food Interaction: You are recommended to limit consumption of food and beverages containing caffeine as they may increase the risk of severity of side effects.
Drug-Disease Interaction: 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.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionThe interaction of Doxofylline with alcohol is unknown. Please consult a doctor before consuming alcohol with Doxofylline.
Pregnancy
cautionThe safety of Doxofylline in pregnant women is unknown. Therefore, it is given to pregnant women only if the doctor thinks the benefits outweigh the risks.
Breast Feeding
unsafeDoxofylline is contraindicated in breastfeeding mothers. Please consult a doctor before taking Doxofylline if you are breast feeding.
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 diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Kidney
cautionTake Doxofylline with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may be adjusted by your doctor as required.
Children
cautionDoxofylline is not recommended for children below 6 years of age as the safety and effectiveness were not established. However, please consult a doctor before giving Doxofylline to 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. It helps 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, and 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 asthma attack.
- Quit smoking as it may reduce the effectiveness of the Doxofylline and irritate the lungs, worsening breathing problems.
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 (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 in a week and up to 4 nights in a month whereas in 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 also lead to COPD. The symptoms include chronic cough, shortness of breath or wheezing (whistle sound while breathing).
FAQs
Doxofylline belongs to the class of drugs called bronchodilators primarily used to prevent and treat symptoms of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Doxofylline works by relaxing muscles and widening the airways of the lungs. Additionally, Doxofylline possesses antitussive (cough suppressant) properties and helps in suppressing cough. Thereby, making breathing easier by opening airways.
No, you are not recommended to take erythromycin with Doxofylline as co-administration of these medicines may increase the risk of adverse effects of Doxofylline. However, please consult a doctor before using other medicines with Doxofylline.
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 had a heart attack. However, inform your doctor if you have any of these conditions before taking Doxofylline.
No, you are not recommended to smoke while taking Doxofylline as it may reduce the effectiveness of Doxofylline.
No, Doxofylline does not relieve sudden asthma symptoms. Therefore, it is advised to carry a rescue inhaler always to treat sudden asthma symptoms.
