Theophylline

Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor Bronchodilator

Prescriber Highlights

• Bronchodilator used short-term to treat bronchospasm and cardiogenic pulmonary edema

Uses, Indications

• Used primarily for bronchodilatory effects in coughing animals

• Potentially beneficial in dogs with pulmonary arterial hypertension if the underlying cause is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Contraindications, Precautions, Warnings

• Contraindications

Patients with hypersensitivity to any xanthine drugs, including aminophylline, theobromine, or caffeine

• Precautions

Patients with severe cardiac disease, seizures, gastric ulcers, renal or hepatic disease, severe hypoxia, or severe hypertension

• Warnings

May cause or worsen pre-existing arrhythmias

Side Effects

• CNS stimulation

• GI irritation

• Polyphagia, polydipsia, and polyuria

Drug Interactions

• Multiple drug interactions can occur, which can both increase and decrease the effects of theophylline

• Additionally, theophylline can interact with several drugs (eg, benzodiazepines, propofol, ketamine), causing a decrease in efficacy of those drugs

Monitoring

• Therapeutic efficacy and clinical signs of toxicity

Client Information

• Giving with food may prevent stomach upset and vomiting

• Do not crush the tablets

Dosage Forms

• No veterinary-labeled products are available 

• Human-labeled products available for extra-label use include:

• Theophylline capsules and tablets: 100 mg, 125 mg, 200 mg, 300 mg, 450 mg, 600 mg

• Theophylline elixir: 80 mg/15 mL

—Compiled and summarized from Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs by Shannon Palermo, VMD

Information about this drug was adapted from Plumb’s Veterinary Drugs. Further details and more therapeutics can be found with a subscription at plumbsveterinarydrugs.com