Which Lifestyle Factors Are Able To Impact Theophylline Plasma Levels?

Theophylline, a drug used to treat asthma, has several different actions at a cellular level, including inhibition of phosphodiesterase isoenzymes and antagonism of methylxanthines. Its plasma concentrations show wide fluctuations, making it not currently recommended for use in people taking theophylline alongside beta-2 agonists, corticosteroids, or diuretics, and in all people with severe asthma.

Theophylline tablets are rapidly absorbed, but plasma concentrations show wide fluctuations and are not currently recommended. Side effects include nausea, vomiting, and headaches due to PDE inhibition, as well as cardiac arrhythmias at higher concentrations. Theophylline reduces inflammation or irritation in lungs and airways, relaxes smooth muscles in the airways and digestive system, and stimulates the central nervous system. Plasma-theophylline concentration is increased in heart failure, hepatic impairment, and viral infections. Plasma-theophylline concentration is decreased in smokers.

Multiple factors affect clearance of theophylline, including hepatic disease, CHF, fever, age, infection, and thyroid state. Factors that enhance theophylline clearance include cigarette smoking. It is recommended that theophylline plasma levels be kept between 8 and 12μg. Exogenous factors such as concomitantly administered drugs, smoking, and nutritional factors affect biotransformation by inducing or inhibiting the metabolizing process.

Serum theophylline monitoring is crucial in these situations. Theophylline’s narrow therapeutic range is the main limitation of its use, as it requires frequent plasma level checks as a precaution. There is increasing evidence that theophylline has anti-inflammatory effects in asthma, which are seen at lower plasma concentrations than are needed.

What causes high theophylline levels?

Theophylline, a chemical similar to caffeine, is used to treat lung conditions like asthma, COPD, and bronchiolitis. It is also prescribed to babies, especially premature infants, to improve their breathing and lung function. Certain medicines, like Cimetidine, cause theophylline to break down more slowly in the body, leading to higher test results. Theophylline concentrations and blood theophylline levels are also used to measure its levels.

What causes a low theophylline level?

Theophylline, a hormone, can be affected by other medications, such as smoking, alcohol, viral infections, or heart failure, which can cause it to leave the body quickly, resulting in lower test results. To prepare for this test, inform your healthcare provider about your theophylline intake and all medications, herbs, vitamins, and supplements you are taking, including non-prescription and illegal drugs.

What increases theophylline levels in blood?

Theophylline is a drug that is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with peak concentrations occurring within 1 – 2 hours of a single dose on an empty stomach. Peak concentrations can be delayed up to 6 – 10 hours after food or if sustained release products are used. Most of the drug is first metabolized in the liver, with urinary excretion of the metabolites 1, 3 dimethyluric, 1-methyluric acid, and 3-methlyxanthine. Factors affecting theophylline metabolism include heart failure, cirrhosis, viral infections, and the elderly, and decreased in smokers, chronic alcoholics, and drugs that induce hepatic metabolism.

In normal adults, the half-life averages 6-9 hours. Some formulations contain theophylline salts, such as aminophylline, which has increased soluability for intravenous use. Theophylline levels are useful for optimizing dosing and monitoring for confirming toxicity and managing overdosed patients. Sample requirements for oral dosing include taking samples at least five half-lives after any change in dose, and 4 – 6 hours post dose for modified release preparations.

What factors affect theophylline levels?

Theophylline, a compound found in the liver, is metabolized by the liver and exhibits varying plasma concentrations. In cases of heart failure, hepatic impairment, and viral infections, theophylline levels are increased, whereas in smokers and those who consume alcohol, theophylline levels are decreased. It should be noted that the NICE British National Formulary site is only accessible within the United Kingdom, whereas Medicines Complete offers access to its content from outside the UK.

What lowers theophylline?

Theophylline, a xanthine utilized for the management of asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions resulting from reversible airflow obstruction, has been observed to diminish its serum concentration, metabolic activity, and therapeutic efficacy when administered concurrently with Adalimumab, Ademetionine, and Adenosine. Additionally, other essential drugs, including Elixophyllin, Elixophylline, Pulmophylline, Quibron-T, Theo-24, Theolair, and Uniphyl, are employed in similar ways.

What decreases plasma-theophylline levels?

The plasma concentration of theophylline is elevated in patients with heart failure, hepatic impairment, and viral infections. Conversely, it is reduced in smokers and in those with alcohol consumption, as the toxic dose is similar to the therapeutic dose.

What decreases the effect of theophylline?

Before taking theophylline, inform your doctor and pharmacist about any allergies, medications, or ingredients in theophylline preparations. They should also know your current prescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products. It is important to inform your doctor about any interactions with theophylline, such as cimetidine, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and St. John’s wort.

If you have any medical conditions, such as seizures, ulcers, heart disease, thyroid gland overactivity, high blood pressure, liver disease, or alcohol abuse, consult your doctor before starting theophylline. If you become pregnant or plan to become pregnant, contact your doctor. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of theophylline.

Caffeine-rich foods like coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate may increase side effects caused by theophylline. Avoid large amounts of these substances while taking theophylline. If you miss a dose, skip it and continue your regular dosing schedule. If you become severely short of breath, call your doctor.

In summary, it is crucial to inform your doctor and pharmacist about any allergies, medications, and other health conditions before starting theophylline.

What foods affect theoph
ylline?

Consuming high-caffeine foods like coffee, tea, cocoa, and chocolate can increase theophylline side effects. Avoid large amounts of these substances while taking theophylline. Take missed doses promptly, but skip the next one if it’s almost time. Do not double dose for missed doses. If you experience severe shortness of breath, consult a doctor. Theophylline may cause side effects, so inform your doctor if any persist or worsen.

What causes theophylline toxicity?

Theophylline toxicity occurs when serum theophylline levels exceed the therapeutic range, either intentionally or unintentionally due to physiological stressors. Toxic exposures to theophylline have decreased significantly since its management for asthma and COPD. From 1985 to 1995, theophylline poisoning requiring hemodialysis or hemoperfusion accounted for 49 cases per one million poison center calls in the United States. In 2014, there were 133 exposures, with 14 in children and 107 in patients over 19 years old.

There were 2 deaths out of 81 patients treated for theophylline exposure. Theophylline has two primary mechanisms: blocking adenosine receptors, which has both therapeutic and toxic effects, and inhibiting phosphodiesterase, which increases cyclic adenosine monophosphate, resulting in increased adrenergic activation and catecholamine release levels. In theophylline toxicity, epinephrine levels can be 4- to 8-times higher than normal, and norepinephrine concentrations can be 4- to 10-times higher. Chronic theophylline toxicity can occur when metabolism is overwhelmed or inhibited, or when clearance is decreased.

What inhibits theophylline?

Theophylline, a xanthine, is employed in the management of asthma, COPD, and other lung conditions resulting from reversible airflow obstruction. In combination with antipyrine, apalutamide, and apixaban, it has been observed to decrease its metabolism. Additionally, other essential drugs, including Elixophyllin, Pulmophylline, Quibron-T, Theo-24, Theolair, and Uniphyl, are employed in combination.

Which of the following factors will increase theophylline levels?

Theophylline, a methylxanthine found in a normal diet, has a half-life of 8 hours in a healthy person but decreases to 4-5 hours in smokers. It is metabolized in the liver by hepatic P450 system enzymes CYP1A2 and CYP3A4 into its metabolites 1, 3-dimethyluric acid, 1-methyluric acid, and 3-methylxanthine before being excreted in the urine. There is no single accepted mechanism of action for theophylline, although many have been proposed.