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Slo-Phyllin® Tablets (theophylline tablets, USP) are scored, dye-free tablets providing 100 mg or 200 mg of theophylline, anhydrous, USP.
Slo-Phyllin® 80mg Syrup (theophylline, anhydrous) is a nonalcoholic sugar-free solution containing per 15 mL theophylline, anhydrous, USP. 80 mg with sodium benzoate, NF, 18 mg and methylparaben, NF, 3 mg added as preservatives.
Both tablets and syrup are intended for oral administration. Theophylline is a bronchodilator structurally classified as a xanthine derivative.
Theophylline is a 1H-Purine-2,6-dione,3,7-dihydro,1,3-dimethyl-. The molecular formula of theophylline, anhydrous is C7H8N4O2 with a molecular weight of 180.17.
Theophylline is a white odorless crystalline powder having a bitter taste.
Inactive Ingredients (theophylline, anhydrous)
Syrup: Citric acid, FD&C Red No. 40, flavors, glycerin, methylparaben, propylene glycol, saccharin sodium, sodium benzoate, sorbitol, purified water.
Tablets 100 mg: Lactose, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate;
Tablets 200 mg: Magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate.
For relief and/or prevention of symptoms of asthma and reversible bronchospasm associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Effective use of theophylline (i.e.,the concentration of drug in the serum associated with optimal benefit and minimal risk of toxicity) is considered to occur when the theophylline concentration is maintained from 10 to 20 pg/mL. The early studies from which these levels were derived were carried out in patients immediately or shortly after recovery from acute exacerbations of their disease (some hospitalized with status asthmaticus).
Although the 20 µg/mL level remains appropriate as a critical value (above which toxicity is more likely to occur) for safety purposes, additional data are now available which indicate that the serum theophylline concentrations required to produce maximum physiologic benefit may, in fact, fluctuate with the degree of bronchospasm present and are variable. Therefore, the physician should individualize the range appropriate to the patients requirements, based on both symptomatic response and improvement in pulmonary function. It should be stressed that serum theophylline concentrations maintained at the upper level of the 10 to 20 pg/mL range may be associated with potential toxicity when factors known to reduce theophylline clearance are operative (see WARNINGS).
If it is not possible to obtain serum level determinations, restriction of the daily dose (in otherwise healthy adults) to not greater than 13 mg/kg/day to a maximum of 900 mg of anhydrous theophylline in divided doses will result in relatively few patients exceeding serum levels of 20 pg/mL and the resultant greater risk of toxicity.
Caution should be exercised for younger children who cannot complain of minor side effects. Older adults, those with cor pulmonale, congestive heart failure, and/or liver disease may have unusually low dosage requirements and thus may experience toxicity at the maximal dosage recommended below.
Theophylline does not distribute into fatty tissue. Dosage should be calculated on the basis of lean (ideal) body weight where mg/kg doses are presented.
Frequency of Dosing
When immediate-release products with rapid absorption are used, dosing to maintain serum levels generally requires administration every 6 hours. This is particularly true in children, but dosing intervals up to 8 hours may be satisfactory in adults since they eliminate the drug at a slower rate. Some children, and adults requiring higher than average doses (those having rapid rates of clearance, e.g., half-lives of under 6 hours) may benefit and be more effectively controlled during chronic therapy when given products with extended-release characteristics, since these provide longer dosing intervals and/or less fluctuation in serum concentration between dosing.
Dosage guidelines are approximations only and the wide range of theophylline clearance between individuals (particularly those with concomitant disease) make indiscriminate usage hazardous.
Dosage Guidelines
I. Acute Symptoms of Asthma or Bronchospasm Requiring Rapid Attainment of Theophylline Serum Levels
NOTE: Status asthmaticus should be considered a medical emergency and is defined as that degree of bronchospasm which is not rapidly responsive to usual doses of conventional bronchodilators. Optimal therapy for such patients frequently requires both additional medication, parenterally administered, and close monitoring, preferably in an intensive care setting.
A. Patients not currently receiving theophylline products:
| Theophylline Dosage | ||
| Oral Loading | Maintenance | |
| Children age 1 to under 9 years | 5 mg/kg | 4 mg/kg q 6 hours |
| Children age 9 to under 16 years; and smokers | 5 mg/kg | 3 mg/kg q 6 hours |
| Otherwise healthy nonsmoking adults | 5 mg/kg | 3 mg/kg q 8 hours |
| Older patients and patients with cor pulmonale | 5 mg/kg | 2 mg/kg q 8 hours |
| Patients with congestive heart failure | 5 mg/kg | 1-2 mg/kg q 12 hours |
B. Patients currently receiving theophylline products:
Determine, where possible, the time, amount, dosage form, and route of administration of the last dose the patient received.
The loading dose for theophylline is based on the principle that each 0.5 mg/kg of theophylline administered as a loading dose will result in a 1.0 µg/mL increase in serum theophylline concentration. Ideally, the loading dose should be deferred if a serum theophylline concentration can be obtained rapidly.
If this is not possible, the clinician must exercise judgment in selecting a dose based on the potential for benefit and risk. When there is sufficient respiratory distress to warrant a small risk, then 2.5 mg/kg of theophylline administered in rapidly absorbed form is likely to increase serum concentration by approximately 5 pg/mL. If the patient is not experiencing theophylline toxicity, this is unlikely to result in dangerous adverse effects.
Subsequent to the decision regarding use of a loading dose for this group of patients, the maintenance dosage recommendations are the same as those described above.
II. Chronic Therapy
Theophylline is a treatment for relief and/or prevention of symptoms from asthma and reversible bronchospasm associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema. A dosage form that allows small incremental doses is desirable for initiating therapy. A liquid preparation should be considered for children to permit easier and more accurate dosage adjustment. Slow clinical titration is generally preferred to assure acceptance and safety of the medication, and to allow the patient to develop tolerance to transient caffeine-like side effects.
Initial Dose
16 mg/kg/24 hours or 400 mg/24 hours (whichever is less) of anhydrous theophylline in divided doses at 6-or 8-hour intervals.
Increasing Dose
The above dosage may be increased in approximately 25 percent increments at 3-day intervals so long as the drug is tolerated, until clinical response is satisfactory or the maximum dose indicated in section III (below) is reached. The serum concentration may be checked at these intervals, but at a minimum should be determined at the end of this adjustment period.
It is important that no patient be maintained on any dosage that is not tolerated. When instructing patients to increase dosage according to the schedule above, they should be told not to take a subsequent dose if apparent side effects occur and to resume therapy at a lower dose once adverse effects have disappeared.
III. Maximum Dose of Theophylline Where the Serum Concentration is Not Measured
WARNING: DO NOT ATFEMPT TO MAINTAIN ANY DOSE THAT IS NOT TOLERATED.
| Not to exceed the following (or 900 mg, whichever is less): | |
| Age 1 to under 9 years | 24 mg/kg/day |
| Age 9 to under 12 years | 20 mg/kg/day |
| Age 12 to under 16 years | 18 mg/kg/day |
| Age 16 years or older | 13 mg/kg/day |
IV. Measurement of Serum Theophylline Concentrations During Chronic Therapy
If the above maximum doses are to be maintained or exceeded, serum theophylline measurement is essential (see PRECAUTIONS: Laboratory Tests for guidance).
V. Final Adjustment of Dosage
Dosage adjustment after serum theophylline measurement
| If serum theophylline is: | Directions: | |
| Within desired range | Maintain dosage if tolerated. | |
| Too high | 20 to 25 µg/mL | Decrease doses by about 10% and recheck serum level after 3 days. |
| 25 to 30 pg/mL | Skip the next dose and decrease subsequent doses by about 25%. Recheck serum level after 3 days. | |
| Over 30 pg/mL | Skip next 2 doses and decrease subsequent doses by 50%. Recheck serum level after 3 days. | |
| Too low | Increase dosage by 25% at 3- day intervals until either the desired serum concentration and/ or clinical response is achieved. The total daily dose may need to be administered at more frequent intervals if symptoms occur repeatedly at the end of a dosing interval. | |
The serum concentration may be rechecked at appropriate intervals, but at least at the end of any adjustment period. When the patient's condition is otherwise clinically stable and none of the recognized factors that alter elimination are present, measurement of serum levels need be repeated only every 6 to 12 months.
| Strength | Size | NDC | Color | Markings |
| 100 mg tablets | Bottles of 100 | 0075-0351-68 | White | Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Logo and 351 |
| 200 mg tablets | Bottles of 100 | 0075-0352-68 | White | Rhone-Poulenc Rorer Logo and 352 |
| 80 mg/15 mL nonalcoholic syrup | 16 FL OZ | 0075-3650-16 | Pink |
STORAGE CONDITIONS: Store at room temperature. Protect from excessive heat, light and moisture.
Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without prescription.
KEEP THIS AND ALL MEDICATIONS OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN
The following adverse reactions have been observed, but there has not been enough systematic collection of data to support an estimate of their frequency. The most consistent adverse reactions are usually due to overdosage.
Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, epigastric pain, hematemesis, diarrhea.
Central Nervous System: headaches, irritability, restlessness, insomnia, reflex hyperexcitability, muscle twitching, clonic and tonic generalized convulsions.
Cardiovascular: palpitation, tachycardia, extrasystoles, flushing, hypotension, circulatory failure, ventricular arrhythmias.
Respiratory: tachypnea.
Renal: potentiation of diuresis.
Other: alopecia, hyperglycemia, inappropriate ADH syndrome, rash.
Drug-Drug Interactions: Toxic synergism with ephedrine has been documented and may occur with some other sympathomimetic bronchodilators. In addition, the following drug interactions have been demonstrated:
| Theophylline with Drug | Effect |
| Allopurinol (high dose) | Increased serum theophylline levels |
| Cimetidine | Increased serum theophylline levels |
| Ciprofloxacin | Increased serum theophylline levels |
| Erythromycin, Troleandomycin | Increased serum theophylline levels |
| Lithium carbonate | Increased renal excretion of lithium |
| Oral contraceptives | Increased serum theophylline levels |
| Propranolol | Increased serum theophylline levels |
| Phenytoin | Decreased theophylline and phenytoin serum levels |
| Rifampin | Decreased serum theophylline levels |
Serum levels above 20 pg/mL are rarely found after appropriate administration of the recommended doses. However, in individuals in whom theophylline plasma clearance is reduced for any reason, even conventional doses may result in increased serum levels and potential toxicity. Reduced theophylline clearance has been documented in the following readily identifiable groups: 1) patients with impaired liver function; 2) patients over 55 years of age, particularly males and those with chronic lung disease; 3) those with cardiac failure from any cause; 4) patients with sustained high fever; 5) neonates and infants under 1 year of age; and 6) those patients taking certain drugs (see DRUG INTERACTIONS). Frequently, such patients have markedly prolonged theophylline serum levels following discontinuation of the drug.
Decreased clearance of theophylline may be associated with either influenza immunization or active influenza, and with other viral infections.
It is important to consider reduction of dosage and measurement of serum theophylline levels in the above individuals.
Reduction of dosage and laboratory monitoring is especially appropriate in the above individuals.
Serious side effects such as ventricular arrhythmias, convulsions, or even death may appear as the first sign of toxicity without any previous warning. Less serious signs of theophylline toxicity (i.e.,nausea and restlessness) may occur frequently when initiating therapy, but are usually transient; when such signs are persistent during maintenance therapy, they are often associated with serum concentrations above 20 pg/mL. Stated differently, serious toxicity is not reliably preceded by less severe side effects. A serum concentration measurement is the only reliable method of identifying a potential for life-threatening toxicity.
Many patients who require theophylline exhibit tachycardia due to their underlying disease process, so the cause/effect relationship to elevated serum theophylline concentrations may not be appreciated. Theophylline products may cause or worsen arrhythmias and any significant change in rate and/or rhythm warrants monitoring and further investigation.
Studies in laboratory animals (minipigs, rodents, and dogs) recorded the occurrence of cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death (with histologic evidence of myocardial necrosis) when beta-agonists and methylxanthines were administered concurrently. The significance of these findings when applied to humans is currently unknown.
General
On the average, theophylline half-life is shorter in cigarette and marijuana smokers than in nonsmokers, but smokers can have half-lives as long as nonsmokers.
Theophylline should not be administered concurrently with other xanthine preparations. Use with caution in patients with hypoxemia, hypertension, or with a history of peptic ulcer. Theophylline may occasionally act as a local irritant to the GI tract, although GI symptoms are more commonly centrally mediated and associated with serum drug concentrations over 20 pg/mL.
Xanthines can potentiate hypokalemia resulting from beta 2 agonist therapy, steroids, diuretics, other xanthines and hypoxia. Particular caution is advised in severe asthma. It is recommended that serum potassium levels be monitored in such situations.
Information for Patients
See PATIENT INFORMATION section.
Laboratory Tests
Serum levels should be monitored periodically to determine the theophylline level associated with observed clinical response and to identify the potential for toxicity. For such measurements, the serum sample should be obtained at the time of peak concentration, 1 to 2 hours after administration for immediate-release products. It is important that the patient has not missed or taken additional doses during the previous 48 hours and that dosing intervals have been reasonably equally spaced. DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT BASED ON SERUM THEOPHYLLINE MEASUREMENTS WHEN THESE INSTRUCTIONS HAVE NOT BEEN FOLLOWED MAY RESULT IN RECOMMENDATIONS THAT PRESENT RISK OF TOXICITY TO THE PATIENT.
Drug Interactions
See DRUG INTERACTIONS section.
Drug/ Laboratory Test Interactions
Currently available analytical methods, including high pressure liquid chromatography and immunoassay techniques, for measuring serum theophylline levels are specific. Metabolites and other drugs generally do not affect the results. Other new analytic methods are also now in use. The physician should be aware of the laboratory method used and whether other drugs will interfere with the assay for theophylline.
Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, and Impairment of Fertility
Long-term carcinogenicity studies have not been performed with theophylline. Chromosome-breaking activity was detected in human cell cultures at concentrations of theophylline up to 50 times the therapeutic serum concentration in humans. Theophylline was not mutagenic in the dominant lethal assay in male mice given theophylline intraperitoneally in doses up to 30 times the maximum daily human oral dose. Studies to determine the effect on fertility have not been performed with theophylline.
Pregnancy
Category C - Reproduction studies performed in mice and rats at oral doses from 7 to 17 times the human dose (maximum human dose for adults assumed to be 13 mg/kg/day) have indicated that theophylline may cause malformations, but these effects only occurred at or near doses that were toxic to the maternal animals. There are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether theophylline can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman or can affect reproduction capacity. Theophylline should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Nursing Mothers
Theophylline is distributed into breast milk and may cause irritability or other signs of toxicity in nursing infants. Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from theophylline, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or to discontinue the drug, taking into account the importance of the drug to the mother.
Pediatric Use
Sufficient numbers of infants under the age of 1 year have not been studied in clinical trials to support use in this age group; however, there is evidence recorded that the use of dosage recommendations for older infants and young pediatric patients (16 mg/kg/24 hours) may result in the development of toxic serum levels. Such findings very probably reflect differences in the metabolic handling of the drug related to absent or undeveloped enzyme systems. Consequently, prescribers of the drug for this age group should carefully consider the associated benefits and risks. If used, the maintenance dose must be conservative and in accord with the following guidelines:
Initial Maintenance Dosage of Theophylline, Anhydrous
Premature Infants:
Up to 24 days postnatal age - 1.0 mg/kg q12h
Beyond 24 days postnatal age - 1.5 mg/kg ql2h
Infants 6 to 52 weeks:
[(0.2x age in weeks) + 5.0] x kg body wt = 24 hour dose in mg.
Up to 26 weeks, divide into q8h dosing intervals.
From 26-52 weeks, divide into q6h dosing intervals.
Final Dosage should be guided by serum concentration after a steady state (no further accumulation of drug) has been achieved.
Management
It is suggested that the management principles (consistent with the clinical status of the patient when first seen) outlined below be instituted and that simultaneous contact with a Regional Poison Control Center be established. In this way both updated information and individualization regarding required therapy may be provided.
1. When potential oral overdose is established and seizure has not occurred:
2. If patient presents with a seizure:
3. If postseizure coma is present:
Slo-Phyllin (theophylline, anhydrous) Tablets and Syrup are contraindicated in individuals who have shown hypersensitivity to any of the components of this product or to xanthine derivatives. It is also contraindicated in patients with active peptic ulcer disease, and in individuals with underlying seizure disorders (unless receiving appropriate anticonvulsant medication).
Theophylline directly relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels, thus acting mainly as a bronchodilator and smooth muscle relaxant. It has also been demonstrated that aminophylline has a potent effect on diaphragmatic contractility in normal persons and may then be capable of reducing fatigability and thereby improve contractility in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease. The exact mode of action remains unsettled. Although theophylline does cause inhibition of phosphodiesterase with a resultant increase in intracellular cyclic AMP, other agents similarly inhibit the enzyme producing a rise of cyclic AMP but are unassociated with any demonstrable bronchodilation. Other mechanisms proposed include an effect on translocation of intracellular calcium; prostaglandin antagonism; stimulation of catecholamines endogenously; inhibition of cyclic guanosine monophosphate metabolism and adenosine receptor antagonism. None of these mechanisms has been proved, however.In vitro, theophylline has been shown to act synergistically with beta-agonists and there are now available data that do demonstrate an additive effect in vivo with combined use.
Pharmacokinetics
The half-life of theophylline is influenced by a number of known variables. It may be prolonged in chronic alcoholics, particularly those with liver disease (cirrhosis or alcoholic liver disease), in patients with congestive heart failure and in those patients taking certain other drugs (see DRUG INTERACTIONS).
Newborns and neonates have extremely slow clearance rates compared to older infants and children, i.e., those over one year. Older children have rapid clearance rates while most nonsmoking adults have clearance rates between these two extremes. In premature neonates the decreased clearance is related to oxidative pathways that have yet to be established.
| Theophylline Elimination Characteristics Half-life (in hours) | ||
| Range | Mean | |
| Children | 1- 9 | 3.7 |
| Adults | 3- 15 | 7.7 |
In cigarette smokers (1-2 packs/day) the mean half-life is 4-5 hours, much shorter than in nonsmokers. The increase in clearance associated with smoking is presumably due to stimulation of the hepatic metabolic pathway by components of cigarette smoke. The duration of this effect after cessation of smoking is unknown but may require 6 months to 2 years before the rate approaches that of the nonsmoker.
In single-dose bioavailability studies in normal volunteers, 300 mg Slo-Phyllin (theophylline, anhydrous) Syrup produced mean peak serum concentrations of 7.90 ± 1.67 pg/mL at a mean time of 1.43 ± 0.87 hours after dosing. At steady state in multiple-dose bioavailability studies with four times a day dosing (600-1000 mg/day), the mean peak-trough variation was 4.39 ± 0.77 pg/mL.
In a single-dose three-way cross-over bioavailability study, 400 mg each of the 100 mg Slo-Phyllin (theophylline, anhydrous) tablet, the 200 mg tablet and Slo-Phyllin (theophylline, anhydrous) Syrup were given to 19 volunteers. The respective means ± standard error for the bioequivalence parameters were: peak concentration (Cmax)11.18 ± 0.38, 10.91 ± 0.39 and 11.17 ± 0.40 pg/mL, time of peak concentration (Tmax) 1.67 ± 0.17, 1.84 ± 0.17 and 2.18 ± 0.21 hours; area under the curve, 0 to infinity (AUC0-)120.53 ± 9.80, 121.29 ± 9.61 and 127.37 ± 9.40. There were no statistical differences between the formulations with regard to Cmax, Tmax or AUC0-. Bioavailability relative to the Syrup was 95% for the 100 mg tablet and 96% for the 200 mg tablet.
The physician should reinforce the importance of taking only the prescribed dose at the prescribed time intervals.
