Bronkasma

Uses

This is used for the symptomatic treatment of reversible bronchoconstriction associated with bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary emphysema, chronic bronchitis and related bronchospastic disorders.

Bronkasma is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Asthma, Bronchitis, Bronchoconstriction, Bronchospasm, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), Chronic bronchial inflammation, Airway secretion clearance therapy, Bronchodilation

How Bronkasma works

Theophylline relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels and reduces airway responsiveness to histamine, methacholine, adenosine, and allergen. Theophylline competitively inhibits type III and type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme responsible for breaking down cyclic AMP in smooth muscle cells, possibly resulting in bronchodilation. Theophylline also binds to the adenosine A2B receptor and blocks adenosine mediated bronchoconstriction. In inflammatory states, theophylline activates histone deacetylase to prevent transcription of inflammatory genes that require the acetylation of histones for transcription to begin.

Dosage

Bronkasma dosage

Dosages are adjusted to maintain serum theophylline concentrations that provide optimal relief of symptoms with minimal side effects. Most of the controlled release preparations may be administered every 12 hours in adults while administration every 8 hours may be necessary in some children with markedly rapid hepatic metabolism of theophylline. The recommended dosages for achieving serum theophylline concentrations within the accepted therapeutic range is as follow:

• 1-6 months: 10mg/Kg/day
• 6 months-1 year: 15mg/Kg/day
• 1-9 years: 24mg/Kg/day
• 10-16 years: 18mg/Kg/day
• Adults: 10-15mg/Kg/day

Side Effects

The following side effects have been observed:

Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain and diarrhoea.

Central nervous system: Headache, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, muscles twitching.

Cardiovascular: Palpitation, tachycardia, hypotension. circulatory failure.

Respiratory: Tachypnoea.Renal: Potentiation of diuresis.

Others: Alopecia, hyperglycemia, rash etc.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include seizures, arrhythmias, and GI effects.

Precaution

Careful consideration is needed for various interacting drugs and physiologic conditions that can alter Theophylline clearance. Dosage adjustment is required prior to initiation of Theophylline therapy, prior to increases in Theophylline dose, and during follow up. The dose of Theophylline selected for initiation of therapy should be low and, if tolerated, increased slowly over a period of time.

Interaction

Allopurinol, cimetidine, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, oral contraceptives and propranolol increase serum theophylline levels. Phenytoin, methotrexate and rifampicin lead to decreased serum theophylline levels

Volume of Distribution

• 0.3 to 0.7 L/kg

Elimination Route

Theophylline is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration in solution or immediate-release solid oral dosage form.

Half Life

8 hours

Clearance

• 0.29 mL/kg/min [Premature neonates, postnatal age 3-15 days]
• 0.64 mL/kg/min [Premature neonates, postnatal age 25-57 days]
• 1.7 mL/kg/min [Children 1-4 years]
• 1.6 mL/kg/min [Children 4-12 years]
• 0.9 mL/kg/min [Children 13-15 years]
• 1.4 mL/kg/min [Children 16-17 years]
• 0.65 mL/kg/min [Adults (16-60 years), otherwise healthy non-smoking asthmatics]
• 0.41 mL/kg/min [Elderly (>60 years), non-smokers with normal cardiac, liver, and renal function]
• 0.33 mL/kg/min [Acute pulmonary edema]
• 0.54 mL/kg/min [COPD >60 years, stable, non-smoker >1 year]
• 0.48 mL/kg/min [COPD with cor pulmonale]
• 1.25 mL/kg/min [Cystic fibrosis (14-28 years)]
• 0.31 mL/kg/min [Liver disease cirrhosis]
• 0.35 mL/kg/min [acute hepatitis]
• 0.65 mL/kg/min [cholestasis]
• 0.47 mL/kg/min [Sepsis with multi-organ failure]
• 0.38 mL/kg/min [hypothyroid]
• 0.8 mL/kg/min [hyperthyroid]

Elimination Route

Theophylline does not undergo any appreciable pre-systemic elimination, distributes freely into fat-free tissues and is extensively metabolized in the liver. Renal excretion of unchanged theophylline in neonates amounts to about 50% of the dose, compared to about 10% in children older than three months and in adults.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy: It is not known whether Theophylline can cause foetal harm when administered to pregnant woman.Xanthines should be given to a pregnant woman only if clearly needed.

Nursing mother: Theophylline is excreted into breast milk and may cause irritability or other signs of mild toxicity in nursing human infants. Serious adverse effects in the infant are unlikely unless the mother has toxic serum Theophylline concentrations.

Contraindication

Hypersensitivity to xanthine derivatives. It is also contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease and in individuals with underlying seizure disorders (unless receiving appropriate anti-convulsing medication).

Theophylline should not be administered concurrently with other xanthine. Use with caution in patients with hypoxemia, hypertension, or those with history of peptic ulcer. Do not attempt to maintain any dose that is not tolerated.

Acute Overdose

Symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, gastrointestinal irritation, cramps, convulsions, tachycardia & hypotension. The stomach contents should be emptied & supportive measures employed to maintain circulation, respiration & fluid & electrolyte balance. Electrocardiographic monitoring should be carried out & in severe poisoning charcoal haemoperfusion should be used.

Storage Condition

Store in a cool and dry place, protect from light and moisture. Keep out of the reach of children

Innovators Monograph

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