Norphyllin SR

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach irritation
- Increased heart rate (tachycardia)
- Awareness of your heart beat (heart palpitations)
- Headache
- Restlessness
- Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)
- Fits (convulsions)
- Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

Children must not take ephedrine (a decongestant found in some cough and cold remedies) while taking aminophylline.

The following medicines may increase the blood level of theophylline; your doctor may need to reduce your aminophylline dose if you take any of these in order to avoid side effects:

- aciclovir
- allopurinol
- calcium channel blockers, eg diltiazem, verapamil, nifedipine
- cimetidine
- contraceptives containing an oestrogen
- disulfiram
- flu vaccine
- fluvoxamine
- interferon alfa
- isoniazid
- quinolone type antibiotics, eg ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, norfloxacin
- macrolide type antibiotics, eg erythromycin, clarithromycin
- methotrexate
- mexiletine
- pentoxifylline
- propafenone
- propranolol
- tiabendazole
- ticlopidine
- viloxazine.

The following medicines may decrease the blood level of theophylline; your doctor may need to increase your aminophylline dose if you take any of these, in order to make sure it is effective:

- aminoglutethimide
- antiepileptic medicines, such as phenytoin, carbamazepine
- barbiturates
- moracizine
- rifampicin
- rifabutin
- ritonavir
- sulfinpyrazone
- the herbal remedy, St John's wort (Hypericum perforatum).

Theophylline may decrease the blood levels of the following medicines, which may reduce their effects:

- alprazolam
- lithium
- phenytoin
- carbamazepine.

Aminophylline should not normally be taken with beta-blockers such as propranolol, as these can cause the airways to narrow, thus opposing the effects of theophylline.

There may be a risk of seizures if ketamine is taken with aminophylline.

Aminophylline may oppose the sedative effects of benzodiazepines, eg diazepam, clonazepam.

The level of thyroid hormones in the body affects the way the body handles theophylline. If you have high thyroid hormone levels and start treatment to lower them, eg with medicines such as carbimazole, propylthiouracil or radioactive iodine, your doctor may decrease your aminophylline dose. If you have low thyroid hormone levels and start treatment with thyroxine, your doctor may increase your aminophylline dose.

Aminophylline may potentially decrease the amount of potassium in the blood. If it is taken in combination with any of the following medicines, which can also lower potassium in the blood, the risk of a low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia) is increased:

- corticosteroids, such as beclometasone and prednisolone
- beta 2 agonists, such as salbutamol and salmeterol
- diuretics, such as bendroflumethiazide and furosemide.

A low blood potassium level can have serious effects, which is why people with severe asthma, who may be taking several of these medicines, should have their blood potassium level monitored regularly.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Amnivent SR

Phyllocontin continus

Aminophylline injection is also available. It is used rarely to treat severe asthma attacks in hospital.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved