Doxofylline

Indications

Doxofylline is used for: COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease), bronchial asthma

Adult Dose

Tablet Adults: Conventional Tablet 400mg 1 to 3 times a day. Sustained release tablet: 400 mg sustained release tablet once a day. Single dose, administration in the evening reduces nocturnal, symptoms and helps to keep the patients complaint free during the day. However, in certain cases, 400 mg tablet twice daily is recommended on the basis of the clinical response and according to disease severity. Doses as high as 1200mg/day (400 mg 3 times day) may also be prescribed. Elderly: The dosage may be decreased according to medical prescription in the very elderly patients with concomitant cardiovascular, hepatic, renal and gastric disease, to 200 mg tablet b.i.d/ t.i.d. Syrup Elderly: 10 ml, 2 or 3 times daily.

Child Dose

Tablet Children >12 years: 200 mg 2 or 3 times daily. Syrup Children> 12 years: 10 ml, 2 or 3 times daily. Children<12 years: 6 mg/kg/dose twice daily. In case of unsatisfactory response it can be increased up to 9 mg/kg/dose twice daily under medical supervision.

Renal Dose

Administration

Contra Indications

This is contraindicated for individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to Doxofylline and its components. It is also contraindicated in patients with acute myocardial infarction, hypotension, and in lactating women.

Precautions

Use with caution in patients with hypoxemia, hyperthyroidism, liver disease, renal disease, in those with history of peptic ulcer and in elderly. Frequently, patients with Congestive Heart Failure (CHF) have markedly prolonged drug serum levels following discontinuation of Doxofylline.

Pregnancy-Lactation

Interactions

Other xanthine derivatives, ephedrine, phenytoin & other anticonvulsants, erythromycin, troleandomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, ranitidine, propranolol, flu vaccine.

Adverse Effects

Side effects of Doxofylline : Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, cephalalgia, irritability, insomnia, tachycardia, extrasystole, tachypnea and occasionally, hyperglycemia and albuminuria, may occur. If a potential oral overdose is established, the patient may present with severe arrhythmias and seizure; these symptoms could be the first sign of an intoxication. Adverse reactions may cause the withdrawal from treatment; a lower dose rechallenge may start only after the advice of a physician.

Mechanism of Action

Doxofylline is a theophylline derivative. Similarly, its mechanism of action is related to the inhibition of phosphodiesterase activities, resulting in bronchodilating effects.