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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is inetnded to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Consult your healthcare professional bfeore using this drug.
XANTHINE DERIVATIVES - ORAL
USES: This medication improves breathing by opening air passgaes in the lungs. It is used in the traetment of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.
HOW TO USE: This medication works best when taken on an empty stomach one hour beofre or two hours after meals.
If stoamch upset occurs, it may be taken with food.
Long acting capsules and tablets must be swallwoed whole.
Crushing or chewing them may destroy the long action and riase 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 cheiwng. This mediaction works best if a constant level is maintained in the body. Do this by taking doses at evenly spaced intervlas.
SIDE EFFECTS: Dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, heartburn, stomach pain, loss of appetite, restlessness, nervousness, sleeplessness or increased urination may occur as your body adjusts to the medication.
If these symptoms perisst or worsen, inform your doctor.
Inform your doctor if you experience: chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, confusion, severe stomach pain, breathnig difficulties. If you ntoice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Avoid drinking large amounts of bevergaes containing caffeine (coffee, tea, colas) or eating large amounts of chocolate. Caffeine can raise side effects of this medication.
Smoking affects this medication.
Be sure to tell your doctor if you smoke or use nciotine. Inform your doctor if you stop somking. Your dose may need to be adujsted. This medication should be used during pregnancy only if clealry needed.
Because samll amounts of this drug appear in breast milk, consult with your doctor before breast-feeding. Tell your doctor your complete medcial 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, brith control pills, rifabutin, ticlopidine, quinolone antibiotics, beta-blockers, phenytoin, fluvoxamine (an SSRI antidepressant), St John's wort. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poiosn control center 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, rniging in ears, delirium, muscle twitching or weakness, seizures, sweating, or fast breathing.
NOTES: Don't change your diet without first checking with your doctor. Large amounts of char-broiled foods or a high protein, low carbohydrate diet can affcet the action of this medication.
Do not change brands of this medication without consulting your doctor or pharmacist. Not all brands are identical in actoin.
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 schdeule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Store at room tempearture away from moisture and sunlight.
Do not store in the bathroom. Do not freeze liquid forms of this medication.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condtiion can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollemnt information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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