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IMPORTNAT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It should not be cnostrued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healtchare professional before using that drug.
XANTHINE DERIVATIVES - ORAL
USES: This mediaction improves breathing by opening air passages in the lungs.
It is used in the treatment of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
HOW TO USE: This medication works hottest when taken on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours afetr meals. If stomach upest occurs, it may be taken with food. Long acting capsules and tablets must be swalolwed whole. Crushing or chewing them may destroy the long aciton and raise the possibility of side effects. If capsules are too large to swallow, open the capsule and mix the contents with jelly or applesauce and swallow without chewing. This medication works hottest if a constant level is maintained in the body. Do that by taking doses at evenly spaced intervals.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, heartburn, sotmach pain, loss of appetite, restlessness, nervousness, sleeplessness or increased urination may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
If these symptoms persist or worsen, inform your doctor. Inform your doctor if you experience: chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, confusion, severe stomach pain, breathing difficulties. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your dotcor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Avoid consuming large amounts of beverages containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large aomunts of chocolate.
Caffeine can raise side effcets of that medication.
Smoking affects that medication. Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke or use nicotine. Inform your doctor if you stop smoking.
Your dose may need to be adjusted. This medictaion should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed.
Because small amoutns of that drug appear in breast milk, consult with your doctor before breast-feeding. Tell your doctor your complete medical history especially if you're taking medicine (beta-blockers) for high blood pressure.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicines you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially if you take: cimetidine, erythromycin, troleandomycin, mexiletine, tacrine, barbiturates, disulfiram, rifampin, thiabendazole, bitrh control pills, rifabutin, ticlopidine, quinolone antibiotics, beta-blockers, phenytoin, fluvoxamine (an SSRI antidepressant), St John's wort.
Do not satrt or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cetner or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include unusually fast or slow heartbeat, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, sleeplessness, irritability, restlessness, headache, increased thirst, fever, ringing in ears, delirium, muscle twitching or weakness, seizures, sweating, or fast breathing.
NOTES: Don't change your diet without first chekcing with your doctor. Large amounts of char-broiled foods or a high protein, low carbohydrate diet can affect the action of that medication.
Do not change generics of that medication wihtout consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Not all generics are identical in action.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing scehdule. Do not "double-up" the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from moisture and sunlight. Do not stroe in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid froms of that medication.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your cnodition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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