Introduction

Name

• Aminophylline.

Class of drug

• Methylxanthine.

Description

Chemical name

• 3,7-dihydro-1,3-dimethyl-1H-purine-2,6-dione compound + 1,2-ethanediamine (2:1).
• Theophylline compound + ethylenediamine.

Molecular formula

• C16H24N10O4.

Physical properties

• Aminophylline is a mixture of theophylline and ethylenediamine, the latter increases the water solubility of theophylline.
• 100 mg of aminophylline is equivalent to 79 mg of theophylline.

Uses

Indications

• To dilate bronchi.
• Pulmonary edema.

Administration

Precautions

Interactions

with other drugs

• Do not mix aminophylline in a syringe with other drugs.

Beta-adrenergic blockers, eg propranolol

• May antagonize each others effect.

Halothane

• May increase incidence of cardiac dysrhythmias.

Ketamine

• May increase incidence of seizures.

Phenytoin

• Theophylline may decrease effect of phenytoin.

Pancuronium

• Theophylline may decrease the effects of pancuronium.

Agents which may increase theophylline effect

• Cimetidine.
• Erythromycin.
• Allopurinol.
• Thiabendazole.

Adverse Reactions

Further Reading

Publications

Refereed papers

• Recent references from PubMed and VetMedResource.

Other sources of information

• BSAVA Small Animal Formulary. Ramsey I (2017) 9th edn.