Indications
Doxophylline is used to treat asthma, COPD and bronchospasm.
Therapeutic Class
Bronchodilator, Methyl xanthine derivatives
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:
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.
Interaction
Doxophylline should not be administered together with other xanthine derivatives. Toxic synergism with ephedrine has been documented for xanthines. Like other xanthines, concomitant therapy with troleandomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, ranitidine, propranolol and anti-flu vaccine may decrease the hepatic clearance of xanthines causing an increase in blood levels. No evidence of a relationship between Doxophylline serum concentrations and toxic events have been reported.
Contraindications
Doxophylline is contraindicated in acute myocardial infarction. It is also contraindicated in patients with hypotension, in lactating women & patients who have shown hypersensitivity to its components.
Side Effects
Doxophylline rarely causes serious side effects, however possible side effects are similar for taking excess amount of caffeine. These include: nausea, vomiting, headache, upset stomach and heartburn.