Unilin 120mg/5ml Syrup

✔️ Pharmacological Action

Theophylline, a methylxanthine bronchodilator, works by relaxing bronchial smooth muscles and suppressing airway hyperresponsiveness. It also enhances diaphragmatic contractility, improving breathing efficiency.

Half-life: Variable (3–9 hours in non-smoking adults), influenced by age, liver function, concurrent medications, and smoking status.

✔️ Dosage & Administration

Dosage must be individualized based on serum theophylline levels to ensure optimal therapeutic effect and minimize toxicity.
Sustained-release formulations are typically given every 12 hours in adults, and every 8 hours in some children with rapid drug metabolism.

Recommended Maintenance Dosage:

• ≥16 years: 10 mg/kg/day (Max: 900 mg/day)
• 12–15 years: 13 mg/kg/day
• 9–11 years: 16 mg/kg/day
• 1–8 years: 24 mg/kg/day
• 6 months–1 year: 12–18 mg/kg/day
• 1–6 months: 10 mg/kg/day

✔️ Side Effects

• Side effects are uncommon at therapeutic doses, but may include:
• Nausea, vomiting, headache, insomnia
• Gastrointestinal discomfort, hypotension
• CNS stimulation or diuresis (more common in children)

✔️ Drug Interactions

• Avoid concurrent use with other xanthine-containing drugs.
• Increased theophylline clearance (may require higher dose):
  Barbiturates, carbamazepine, phenytoin, rifampicin, lithium
• Decreased clearance (may require lower dose):
  Cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, erythromycin, corticosteroids, oral contraceptives, allopurinol
• Risk of hypokalemia: Monitor potassium levels if used with beta-2 agonists, diuretics, or steroids.

✔️ Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to theophylline or any component of the formulation

✔️ Use in Pregnancy & Lactation

Use during pregnancy only if necessary, as effects on the fetus are not well-established

Theophylline is excreted in breast milk; monitor infants for signs of irritability or mild toxicity

✔️ Precautions

• Adjust dosage carefully in patients with liver disease, cardiac conditions, or the elderly
• Close monitoring is required when starting therapy, increasing doses, or changing concurrent medications
• Neonates and pediatric patients require extra caution due to slower theophylline clearance

✔️ Storage Conditions

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight
• Keep out of reach of children