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(for veterinary information only)
AVAILABLE IN
100 mg, 200 mg & 300 mg
TABLETS
A SYRUP AND
ORAL SOLUTION
ARE ALSO AVAILABLE
Theophylline and its close relatives aminophylline and caffeine are members of the methylxanthine group of biochemicals. Caffeine was the first of this group to be found helpful to asthmatic humans but had some unpleasant side effects such as restlessness, excess thirst, difficulty sleeping etc. Other derivatives were quickly produced in hope of minimizing side effects and maximizing the airway relaxant properties that are so helpful in airway disease.
Theophylline is able to effect several actions that are helpful in a number of respiratory conditions. These beneficial effects are:
Increased contraction strength of the diaphragm
The diaphragm forms the muscular floor of the chest cavity and its contractions correspond to the strength of breathing motions. When breathing becomes difficult, this muscle works harder against the resistance created by disease. The use of theophylline can give new strength to this important respiratory muscle.
- Increased beat frequency of the respiratory cilia
The upper respiratory tract is protected by a lining of a certain type of cells. These cells secrete a layer of mucus that captures debris we have inhaled as well as debris formed by disease lower down in the lungs. This mucus is moved to the throat by microscopic hair-like cells called cilia that rhythmically beat, like little oars, to move the mucus and its trapped debris. Once the mucus reaches the throat it is either coughed up or swallowed. Theophylline helps these cilia to beat faster and thereby more rapidly clear respiratory debris.
- Dilation and relaxation of constricted airways
This is probably the main reason for using theophylline. When the airway muscles relax, the airway diameter enlarges. Asthma is a disease where there is inappropriate airway constriction. Theophylline allows asthmatic airways to relax and and enlarge, making breathing easier. In conditions where fluid or other materials have accumulated in airways, dilation of the airways can suppress coughing and increase patient comfort.
- Central nervous system stimulation
Most of us are familiar with this effect with caffeine, a close relative of theophylline. While this can be a negatively perceived side effect, it is helpful in human infants who suffer from sleep apnea (where the brain simply fails to stimulate the act of breathing during sleep). This same condition is believed to be a problem in English bulldogs and theophylline may be helpful in this regard.
- Diuretic effects
This effect amounts to increased need to urinate and is only a problem for some individuals. In most individuals this is a mild effect and it helps dry excessive respiratory secretions, so it helps to suppress coughing.
The negative side effects of theophylline include: restlessness or caffeine-type jitters (this can be minimized by starting the medication at a lower dose and gradually increasing to the recommended dose), diuretic effect (some individuals only), upset stomach, racing heart rate with abnormal heart rhythm (also only some individuals only).
Humans are sensitive to these side effects and blood levels of theophylline are commonly monitored with blood tests. In dogs, however, no side effects are seen until blood levels are enormously out of range so few problems are observed in pets on theophylline. The problem is that different brands of theophylline may produce inconsistent blood levels. Some brands last too long, some do not last long enough. It is important to use a brand produces consistent therapeutic effects. Brands that seem to be the most reliable are Slo-bid, Theo-dur, and the generic tablets produced by Inwood Laboratories.
Theophylline is removed from the body by the liver using a system called the cytochrome p450 system. Other drugs that also use this system will influence the way theophylline is metabolized (depending on which drug the enzyme system will preferentially bind to).
Enrofloxacin (Baytril), for example, will increase blood levels of theophylline dramatically (potentially creating toxicity) and the side effects listed above may actually become a problem. Other medications which can increase the activity of theophylline include cimetidine (Tagamet), clindamycin, erythromycin, lincomycin, and allopurinol.
The effect of theophylline may be reduced when using phenobarbital.
Theophylline may decrease the effect of beta blockers (heart medicines) such as propranolol.
This medication is typically given twice a day in dogs but only once a day in cats. When this medication is used in the treatment of asthma in cats, we believe it is best to give this medication at bedtime. (Human asthmatics and equine patients with heaves have maximum airway constriction between 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. If cats follow this pattern, they will need highest blood levels to be during the early morning. It is not known, however, that cats follow the same pattern as horses and humans but the human and equine diseases are similar to feline asthma in many ways.)
In pregnancy, theophylline crosses the placenta and medicates unborn pups and kittens. It also crosses over into milk and medicates nursing pups and kittens.
Theophylline is probably best avoided in patients with a tendency to cardiac arrhythmia or patients with liver disease.
Page last updated: 4/2/2011
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