INTRODUCTION

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLETcontain a combination of Theophylline, Etophylline and Salbutamol which belongs to the group of medicines called Bronchodilators. It is used in the treatment of asthma (airways narrow, swell and produce extra mucus which can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, and wheezing), chronic bronchitis (inflammation of the lining of bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from lungs causing cough and thick discolored mucus for at least 3 months) and emphysema (causes shortness of breath, weakening and rupturing the inner walls of the air sacs creating larger air spaces instead of many small ones).

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET is not recommended for use if you have porphyria (a rare disease of the blood pigments). Before taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET inform your doctor if you have an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure or any other heart problems, worsening of chest symptoms (breathlessness or cough), over or under-active thyroid gland, stomach ulcer, liver problems, cystic fibrosis, seizures, fits or convulsions, unwell with a high temperature or fever, viral infection, addicted to alcohol or smoking, intolerant to certain sugars, are male and have difficulty in passing urine (due to an enlarged prostate gland), are going to have an operation, diabetes. Avoid consumption of alcohol or smoking during this treatment.

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnant or breastfeeding women unless clearly necessary. DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET is not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age. It should be used with caution in elderly patients.

The most common side effects of taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET are tremors headache, dizziness, feeling sick, and muscle cramps. Consult your doctor if symptoms do not show improvement.

USES OF DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET

• Treats asthma
• Treats chronic bronchitis
• Treats emphysema

HOW DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET WORKS

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET works by relieving the symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema in which etofylline and salbutamol are smooth muscle relaxants which work by dilating and relaxing the airway muscles. And theophylline relaxes the smooth muscles l in the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels, reducing the airway responsiveness to allergens and reducing inflammation.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET as advised by your physician. Swallow the medicine with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the right dose and duration depending on your age, body weight and disease condition.

SIDE EFFECTS OF DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Headache

Avoid seeing bright lights directly. Take enough rest and drink lots of water. Consult your doctor if symptoms do not show improvement.

Nausea And Vomiting

Stick to simple meals, and do not eat too much oily or spicy food as it can make you sicker.  Inform your doctor if symptoms do not show improvement.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

PREGNANCY

Contraindicated

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLETis not recommended for use in pregnancy or for women planning to have a baby unless clearly necessary. It is not recommended if you have threatened abortion (potential miscarriage) during the first six months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET.

BREASTFEEDING

Consult your doctor

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLETis excreted in breastmilk so it will be given to breastfeeding women only if the benefits overweigh the risk. Consult your doctor before taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET.

DRIVING AND USING MACHINES

Use with Caution

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET has no or negligible effects on your ability to drive or use machines.

ALCOHOL

Contraindicated

Do not consume your alcohol while taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET as it can alter the way this medicine works.

KIDNEY

Use with Caution

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET should be used with caution if you are male and have difficulty in passing urine (due to an enlarged prostate gland). Consult your doctor before taking it.

LIVER

Use with Caution

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLETshould be used with caution in patients with liver problems. Consult your doctor before taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET.

ALLERGY

Contraindicated

Do not take DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET if you are allergic to Theophylline, Etophylline, Salbutamol or any other ingredients of this medicine.

HEART DISEASE

Use with Caution

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET should be used with caution in patients with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure or any other heart problems, or worsening of chest symptoms (breathlessness or cough). Consult your doctor before taking it.

USE IN PEDIATRICS

Contraindicated

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLETis not recommended for use in children below 6 years of age. Consult your doctor before taking it.

USE IN GERIATRICS

Consult your doctor

DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET should be used with caution in elderly patients. Your doctor will adjust your dose depending on your age, body weight and disease condition. Consult your doctor before taking it.

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug interactions:

Before taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicine:

• other medicines to treat asthma or breathing conditions that contain theophylline, aminophylline, salbutamol, terbutaline or salmeterol
• steroids (Ex. prednisolone, beclomethasone) used as an anti-inflammatory
• diuretics to increase urine production.
• oral contraceptives
• herbal medicine (Ex. St John’s Wort)
• aminoglutethimide, methotrexate or lomustine (for cancer)
• carbamazepine or phenytoin (treats seizures, fits or convulsions)
• adenosine, diltiazem, isoprenaline, mexiletine, propafenone, propranolol, verapamil, regadenoson, dipyridamole, digoxin, or beta-blockers (to treat high blood pressure and other heart problems)
• pentoxifylline (treats diseased blood vessels)
• benzodiazepines (Ex. clonazepam, diazepam), barbiturates (Ex. primidone) (used as a sedative or to treat anxiety)
• aciclovir (treat Herpes viruses)
• sulphinpyrazone or allopurinol (treat gout)
• carbimazole (to treat thyroid gland problems)
• cimetidine or nizatidine (to treat stomach ulcers, indigestion or heartburn)
• antibiotics (Ex. ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, enoxacin)
• fluconazole (treat fungal infections)
• rifampicin or isoniazid (to treat tuberculosis)
• ritonavir (to treat HIV)
• interferons, (to treat herpes, cancer, leukaemia, or hepatitis)
• thiabendazole (treat threadworms)
• doxapram (to stimulate breathing)
• disulfiram to treat alcoholism
• cough medicine containing ephedrine.
• certain anaesthetics (Ex. halothane and ketamine)
• are going to have a flu injection
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Ex. tranylcypromine), tricyclic antidepressants (Ex. clomipramine), fluvoxamine or lithium (for depression)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose are low levels of potassium in the blood which may cause muscle twitching or weakness and an irregular heartbeat.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET out of reach from children
• Store at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET

Q: What is DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET used for?

A: DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET contain a combination of Theophylline, Etophylline and Salbutamol which belongs to the group of medicines called Bronchodilators. It is used to treat asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Q: Can DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET be used in pregnancy?

A: DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET is not recommended for use in pregnancy or for women planning to have a baby unless clearly necessary. It is not recommended if you have threatened abortion (potential miscarriage) during the first six months of pregnancy. Consult your doctor before taking DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET.

Q: What if I accidentally take more of DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET?

A: If you or anyone else accidentally take too much of DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose are low levels of potassium in the blood which may cause muscle twitching or weakness and an irregular heartbeat.

Q: Can DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET be used in heart patients?

A: DERIPHYLLIN S TABLETshould be used with caution in patients with irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure or any other heart problems, or worsening of chest symptoms (breathlessness or cough). Consult your doctor before taking it.

Q: How does DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET work?

A: DERIPHYLLIN S TABLET works by relieving the symptoms of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema in which etofylline and salbutamol is a smooth muscle relaxant which works by dilating and relaxing the airway muscles. And theophylline relaxes the smooth muscles in the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels, reducing the airway responsiveness to allergens and reducing inflammation.

REFERENCES

1. KD Tripathi. Drugs for Cough and Bronchial Asthma. Essentials of medical pharmacology. Eighth Edition. 2019. Page – 242.

2. K Grimwood, J J Johnson-Barrett, and B Taylor. Salbutamol: tablets, inhalational powder, or nebuliser. [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1503918/

3. A Markham, D Faulds. Theophylline. A review of its potential steroid-sparing effects in asthma [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9878995/

4. Bard Pharmaceuticals Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2019] [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7719.pdf, https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/7719/smpc

5. Accord. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in February 2021] [Accessed on 27th August 2022]. https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.5857.pdf , https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/product/5857/smpc

6. Pubchem. Etophylline. [Revised in August 2022] [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/etofylline#section=Toxicity

7. NIH. Etophylline. [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://drugs.ncats.io/drug/L164909TBI

8. Theophylline, Etophylline, Salbutamol. Mayoclinic [Revised on April 2017] [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-condition/emphysema/symptoms-causes/syc-20355555#:~:text=Emphysema%20is%20a%20lung%20condition,instead%20of%20many%20small%20ones, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bronchitis/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355572

9. Theophylline, Etophylline, Salbutamol. Mayoclinic. [Revised on March 2022] [Accessed on 27th August 2022] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/symptoms-causes/syc-20369653

USEFUL DIAGNOSTIC TESTS

• Chest X-ray
• Sputum test
• Pulmonary function test

AUTHOR DETAILS

Written By Dr. Dhivakaran R, BDS
Last updated on 16 Feb 2023 | 06:20 PM(IST)