Medical, Drugs, Pharmaceuticals And Diseases Information

DOXOFYLLINE is a  Methylxanthines group of drug which are phosphodiesterase inhibitors. The other type of methylxanthines are caffeine, theobromine, as well as, theophylline. Doxofylline is a new generation long acting oral methylxanthine derivative. The bronchodilating activities of doxofylline have been clearly demonstrated in  patients with either bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease ( COPD). Unlike other bronchodilators doxofylline does not have of direct stimulatory effects. This is import because the arrhythmogenic actions of bronchodilators may have a negative impact on the survival of patients with respiratory diseases. Currently Methylxanthines are used as second line of treatment for Asthma.

Doxofylline  Methylxanthines is used for the maintenance therapy in patients suffering with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The normal dosage for adult is 400mg once a day. Single dose administration in the evening reduces nocturnal symptoms and helps to keep the patients complaint free during the day. However in certain cases 400mg twice daily is recommended on the basis of the clinical response.

Contraindications of Doxofylline  Methylxanthines include Hypersensitivity,doxofulline and other methylxanthine derivatives.Methylxanthines are not recommended for therapy for asthma exacerbations.

There are no major Side effects and warnings of Doxofylline  Methylxanthines. It has has a prolonged

bronchodilator effects,and unlike theophylline it has least adenosine interactions. It has no CNS and

CVS side effects.There is no sleep disturbances and no effects on gastric secretions with doxofylline.It is highly safe in smokers. The side effects of doxofylline are similar to taking excess amount of caffeine. The common side effects are Stomach upset, Heartburn,Trouble sleeping (insomnia), Headache, Nervousness or irritability, Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and Rapid breathing (tachypnea).People taking doxofulline  medication may be able to reduce these side effects by avoiding caffeine.Serious (toxic) side effects are seen in some people like Nausea and vomiting.,Seizures,Low blood sugar and  Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia).

• Tiotropium Bromide is a long-acting specific Muscarinic receptor antagonist. It is commercially available under brand name Spiriva. Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals holds the patent for Spiriva. Tiotropium Bromide opens the respiratory tract and makes breathing easier. Tiotropium acts on the lungs, where it blocks muscarinic receptors on the muscle surrounding the airways.  The natural chemical in the body the Acetylcholine normally acts on these receptors, causing the muscle in the airways to constrict and the airways to narrow. In chronic obstructive lung diseases (COPD), the airways are narrowed, and this makes breathing in and out difficult. Tiotropium blocks the muscarinc receptors in the lungs and therefore stops the action of acetylcholine on them.

 
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This allows the muscle around the airways to relax and the airways to open. This makes it easier for people with COPD to breathe. Tiotropium is taken using an inhaler device and inhaling the medicine allows it to act directly in the lungs where it is needed most. It also reduces the potential for side effects in other parts of the body, as the amount absorbed into the blood through the lungs is lower than if it is taken by mouth.

 Tiotropium should not be used to relieve an attack of breathing difficulty. Instead, it should be used regularly each day to keep the airways open and help prevent breathing difficulties. The medicine works over 24 hours so it is best to always take it at the same time of day.Spiriva is indicated in Chronic obstructive     pulmonary disease (COPD). The normal dosage is Inhalation of the contents of one rotacap once daily.

Titropium is contraindicated in Hypersensitivity. Special Precautions: Spiriva should not be used for the initial treatment of acute episodes of bronchospasm, i.e., rescue therapy.. It Should not be used in pregnant or nursing women. Side effects of Spiriva include dry mouth, dry throat, increased heart rate, blurred vision, glaucoma, urinary difficulty, urinary retention, narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hyperplasia or bladder-neck obstruction and constipation.

Bambuterol is an oral prodrug of terbutaline with a prolonged duration of bronchodilator action that allows once-daily administration. It is an inactive site-specific prodrug that delivers active terbutaline only to the target tissue i.e., lung. It is a very effective long acting beta-adrenoceptor agonist. Clinical studies have shown that bambuterol is as effective as other oral and inhaled i2-agonists including salbutamol, terbutaline and Salmeterol, and theophylline(both conventional and controlled release formulations). Bambuterol is commercially available from the pharmacy major AstraZeneca under the trade names Bambec and Oxeol.

Bambuterol is used in maintenance treatment of bronchial asthma, Nocturnal asthma, and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) . The typical dosage for adults is 10mg tablet once daily in the evening, may be increased to 20mg after 1-2 weeks.

Contraindications: Hypersensitivity to any of the ingredients or terbutaline, Hepatic impairment liver, cirrhosis or severely impaired liver function. Special Precautions: Dose should be reduced in patient with severely impaired renal function; care should be taken while prescribing bambuterol in patients with genetic deficiencies of plasma cholinesterase, caution should be implemented in patients with severe ischaemic heart failure. In case of Pregnancy and lactation: it is not recommended. Side effects include Tremor, headache, muscle cramps, palpitation, fatigue and insomnia. Generally, these effects were mild in nature and their incidence decreased with time.

Drug Interactions: Bambuterol reversibly inhibits plasma cholinesterase which prolongs the neuromuscular blockade induced by succinylcholine by upto four times. Hypertensive crisis and other adverse effects occur frequently with the concur rent use of bambuterol with monoamine oxidase inhibitors, bambuterol may partly or totally inhibit
the effect of p-blockers.