1. What type of drug is Aminophylline?
Aminophylline belongs to the class of bronchodilators. The function of bronchodilators is to relax the muscles of the bronchial tube. It makes the passage of air in and out easy. Aminophylline relieves shortness of breath, wheezing, and opens the air passage in the lungs. It is used to treat irritation, inflammation, or allergic reaction of the airways. These may occur due to asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis.
2. Who should not take Aminophylline?
Aminophylline is not recommended to patients who are hypersensitive to theophylline, ethylenediamine, or any other drug component. Before starting the treatment, consult a medical expert. Precautions are to be taken by patients with concurrent illnesses, such as cardiac problems, renal impairment, hypo/hyperthyroidism, hepatic dysfunction, epilepsy, or active peptic ulcer disease.
3. Is Aminophylline short or long-acting?
Aminophylline is a short-acting drug. It comes into effect immediately after being administered. Aminophylline majorly contains theophylline. Theophylline medication, once taken, starts working within 30 minutes. Aminophylline lasts for 4 to 6 hours in the body. Since it is short-acting, regular repeat doses of the medication are needed for long-term treatment.
4. Can you Iv push Aminophylline?
Yes, Aminophylline can be injected inside the patient’s body by slow intravenous injection or by diluting Aminophylline by intravenous infusion. A compatible infusion fluid is administered using a rate-controlled infusion pump. Regular monitoring by the medical staff is needed. The infusions should be continued at least for 24 hours. However, it may be further extended to 48 hours by your doctor.
5. Is Aminophylline still available?
No, Aminophylline is no longer used these days and so is not available in the market. Aminophylline drugs, used to treat and prevent bronchospasm in asthma and COPD, are being discontinued. Adenosine and dobutamine can be used as alternatives to Aminophylline. The alternatives to Aminophylline also include theophylline and caffeine.
6. Does Aminophylline lower BP?
No, Aminophylline or any of its combinations do not affect blood pressure. Aminophylline contains theophylline, which increases the heart rate and systolic blood pressure. Though Aminophylline shows hemodynamic effects, it does not obstruct the path of bronchial tubes. It does not harm patients with respiratory diseases or heart problems.
7. Does Aminophylline increase heart rate?
Aminophylline increases the heart rate and contractility of a patient. According to clinical studies, Aminophylline or theophylline medication is administered to a COPD patient orally. It enhances both right and left heart systolic pump function. It also lowers both pulmonary artery pressure and pulmonary vascular resistance.
8. Is Aminophylline a diuretic?
Yes, Aminophylline is a diuretic. It is a drug that causes kidneys in adults and neonates to make more urine and pass all the extra fluid and salt from the body. Aminophylline exerts a renovascular effect. It is acted by adenosine receptor blockade or type IV phosphodiesterase inhibition. These drugs are used in combination with furosemide to induce diuresis.
9. When should I stop Aminophylline infusion?
Per clinical studies, Aminophylline infusions should be continued for 24 hours. However, after regular monitoring by medical experts, it may be further extended to 48 hours. The estimated half-life of an Aminophylline drug is around 3 to 5 hours. However, your doctor may reduce the dose to half after every 6 hours.
10. When should Aminophylline levels be checked?
Continuous monitoring of therapeutic index and serum levels of Aminophylline is required, particularly during the initiation of therapy. Besides, oral Aminophylline should be checked before increasing the dose or if signs of toxicity are observed. In general, Aminophylline serum concentrations should be measured for nearly 4-hours in children and around 8-hours in adults. The infusion levels are further administered every 12 to 24 hours.
