Aminophylline/theophylline

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Aminophylline/theophylline

Definition:

This is poisoning from the ingestion of aminophylline or theophylline.

Alternative Names:

Theophylline

Poisonous Ingredient:

aminophylline
theophylline

Where Found:

aminophylline
theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Phyllin, Theolair, Slo-Bid)
various asthma medications

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms:

Adults

body as a whole
- difficulty sleeping
- muscle twitching and cramping
- confusion
- low blood glucose
respiratory
- difficulty breathing
gastrointestinal
- increased appetite
- nausea
- vomiting (possibly with blood)
heart and blood vessels
- irregular heartbeat
- low blood pressure
- high blood pressure
- rapid heart rate
- palpitations
nervous system
- convulsions
- dizziness
- irritability
- psychosis
- visual hallucinations

Infants

body as a whole
- muscle cramps
- twitching
respiratory
- rapid, deep breathing
gastrointestinal
- nausea and/or vomiting
heart and blood vessels
- rapid heartbeat
- irregular heartbeat
- low blood pressure
- shock
nervous system
- tremors
- convulsions

Home Treatment:

Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician. Contact Poison Control for treatment information.

Before Calling Emergency:

Determine the following information:

the patient's age, weight, and condition
the name of the product (ingredients and strengths if known)
the time it was swallowed
the amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number:

They will instruct you if it is necessary to take the patient to the hospital. See Poison Control centers for telephone numbers and addresses. Take the container with you to the emergency room.

What to expect at the emergency room:

Some or all of the following procedures may be performed:

treatment of symptoms
monitor vital signs (blood pressure, pulse, and so forth)
maintain blood pressure within normal limits
administer activated charcoal
administer a laxative
use gastric lavage
administer artificial respiration

Expectations (prognosis):

Convulsions and irregular heartbeats are difficult to control.

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