Pronunciation:

DYE-fi-lin

Brand Names:

• Dilor-200
• Dilor-400
• Dylix
• Lufyllin
• Lufyllin-400
• Protophylline Alcohol And Sugar Free

Classifications:

Chemical—

Methylxanthine

Uses of This Medicine:

Dyphylline is used to treat and/or prevent the symptoms of bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. It works by opening up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and increasing the flow of air through them.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children—

Use of other bronchodilator medicines is preferred.

Older adults—

As in younger patients, use of other bronchodilator medicines is preferred. Also, older patients with kidney disease may require a lower dose of dyphylline than do older adults without kidney disease.

Breast-feeding—

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines—

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Riociguat

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Adenosine
• Regadenoson

Other interactions—

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems—

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Heart or blood vessel disease or
• Stomach ulcer (or history of) or other stomach problems—May make these conditions worse.

• Heart failure or
• Kidney disease—The effects of the medicine may be increased.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

This medicine works best when there is a constant amount in the blood. To help keep the amount constant, dyphylline must be taken at regularly spaced times, as ordered by your doctor. Do not miss any doses.

This medicine also works best when taken with a glass of water on an empty stomach (either 30 minutes to 1 hour before meals or 2 hours after meals). However, in some cases your doctor may want you to take this medicine with meals or right after meals to lessen stomach upset.

Dosing—

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (elixir or tablets):
  • For asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema:
    • Adults—Dose is based on body weight. The usual dose is 15 milligrams (mg) per kilogram (kg) of body weight up to four times per day.
    • Children—Dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose—

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage—

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Do not refrigerate. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

Your doctor will check your progress at regular visits, especially during the first few weeks of your treatment with this medicine.

Before you have any kind of surgery that requires general anesthesia, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are using this medicine.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Less common

Heartburn

vomiting

Symptoms of overdose

Abdominal pain (continuing or severe)

confusion or change in behavior

convulsions (seizures)

dark or bloody vomit

diarrhea

fast or irregular heartbeat

nervousness or restlessness (continuing)

trembling (continuing)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

Fast heartbeat

headache

increased urination

nausea

nervousness

trembling

trouble with sleeping

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.