Indications
Therapeutic Class
Pharmacology
Doxophylline is a novel bronchodilator. It structurally differs from Theophylline due to the presence of a dioxolane group in position 7.
Doxophylline selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase 4 thereby relaxes bronchial smooth muscle. However, differently from Theophylline, Doxophylline appears to have decreased affinities toward adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, which may account for the better safety profile of the drug. Doxophylline is reported to inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF) and generation of leukotriene production.
Dosage & Administration
Elderly: 200 mg tablet two or three times daily.
Adults: 400 mg tablet two or three times daily or as prescribed by the physician.
Children:
- >12 years of age: 10 ml syrup or 200 mg tablet two or three times daily.
- 6-12 years of age: 6-9 mg/kg body weight two times daily, i.e. if body weight is 10 kg, 3 ml (60 mg) two times daily or as prescribed by the physician.
If required daily dose of Doxophylline is 400 mg then Doxophylline SR tablet to be taken once daily or as prescribed by the physician
Interaction
Contraindications
Side Effects
Pregnancy & Lactation
Precautions & Warnings
Overdose Effects
In case of overdose severe cardiac arrhythmias and tonic-clonic seizure may occur. These effects may represent the first signs of intoxication. The appearance of side effects may require discontinuation of the treatment which, if necessary, at the physician’s discretion, may be resumed at lower doses after all signs and symptoms of toxicity have subsided.
As there is no specific antidote, in case of overdose a symptomatic treatment of cardiovascular collapse should be instituted.