(British Approved Name, rINN)
Drug Nomenclature
International Nonproprietary Names (INNs) in main languages (French, Latin, Russian, and Spanish):
Pharmacopoeias. In Europe, Int, US. Some pharmacopoeias include anhydrous and hydrated aminophylline in one monograph. Some pharmacopoeias do not specify the hydration state.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Theophylline-ethylenediamine; Aminophylline British Pharmacopoeia 2008). It contains 84.0 to 87.4% of anhydrous theophylline and 13.5 to 15.0% of anhydrous ethylenediamine. A white or slightly yellowish powder, sometimes granular. Freely soluble in water (the solution becomes cloudy through absorption of carbon dioxide) practically insoluble in dehydrated alcohol. Store in airtight containers. Protect from light.
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Aminophylline). It is anhydrous or contains not more than two molecules of water of hydration. It contains not less than 84.0 and not more than 87.4% of anhydrous theophylline. It consists of white or slightly yellowish granules or powder, having a slight ammoniacal odour. Upon exposure to air it gradually loses ethylenediamine and absorbs carbon dioxide with the liberation of theophylline. One g dissolves in 25 mL of water to give a clear solution 1 g dissolved in 5 mL of water crystallises upon standing, but redissolves when a small amount of ethylenediamine is added insoluble in alcohol and in ether. Its solutions are alkaline to litmus. Store in airtight containers.
Aminophylline Hydrate
(British Approved Name Modified, rINNM)
Drug Nomenclature
Pharmacopoeias. In China, Europe, Japan, US. Some pharmacopoeias include anhydrous and hydrated aminophylline in one monograph. Some pharmacopoeias do not specify the hydration state.
European Pharmacopoeia, 6th ed. (Theophylline-ethylenediamine Hydrate; Aminophylline Hydrate British Pharmacopoeia 2008). It contains 84.0 to 87.4% of anhydrous theophylline and 13.5 to 15.0% of anhydrous ethylenediamine. A white or slightly yellowish powder, sometimes granular. Freely soluble in water (the solution becomes cloudy through absorption of carbon dioxide) practically insoluble in dehydrated alcohol. Store in well-filled airtight containers. Protect from light.
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008 (Aminophylline). It is anhydrous or contains not more than two molecules of water of hydration. It contains not less than 84.0 and not more than 87.4% of anhydrous theophylline. It consists of white or slightly yellowish granules or powder, having a slight ammoniacal odour. Upon exposure to air it gradually loses ethylenediamine and absorbs carbon dioxide with the liberation of theophylline. One g dissolves in 25 mL of water to give a clear solution 1 g dissolved in 5 mL of water crystallises upon standing, but redissolves when a small amount of ethylenediamine is added insoluble in alcohol and in ether. Its solutions are alkaline to litmus. Store in airtight containers.
Incompatibility.
Aminophylline solutions should not be allowed to come into contact with metals.
Solutions of aminophylline are alkaline and if the pH falls below 8, crystals of theophylline will deposit. Drugs known to be unstable in alkaline solutions, or that would lower the pH below the critical value, should not be mixed with aminophylline.
Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions
As for Theophylline. Hypers en sitivity has been associated with the ethylenediamine content.
Porphyria.
Aminophylline is considered to be unsafe in patients with porphyria because it has been shown to be porphyrinogenic in animals or in-vitro systems.
Interactions
As for Theophylline.
Pharmacokinetics
Aminophylline, a complex of theophylline with ethylenediamine, readily liberates theophylline in the body. The pharmacokinetics of theophylline are discussed.
Studies in healthy subjects suggested that ethylenediamine does not affect the pharmacokinetics of theophylline after oral or intravenous dosage.
Uses and Administration
Aminophylline has the actions and uses of theophylline and is used similarly as a bronchodilator in the management of asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Aminophylline is also used to relieve neonatal apnoea. It was formerly used as an adjunct in the treatment of heart failure, and may occasionally have a role in patients with this condition who are also suffering from obstructive airways disease. Aminophylline is usually preferred to theophylline when greater solubility in water is required, particularly in intravenous formulations.
Aminophylline may be given in the anhydrous form or as the hydrate, and doses may be expressed as either aminophylline hydrate 1.09 mg is equivalent to about 1 mg of aminophylline. The The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008specifies that ami-nophylline preparations should be labelled with respect to their anhydrous theophylline content. As the phar-macokinetics of theophylline are affected by a number of factors including age, smoking, disease, diet, and drug interactions, the dose of aminophylline must be carefully individualised and serum-theophylline concentrations monitored (see Uses and Administration of Theophylline).
In the management of acute severe bronchospasm, aminophylline may be given intravenously by slow injection or infusion. To reduce adverse effects, intravenous aminophylline should not be given at a rate greater than 25 mg/minute. In adults who have not been taking aminophylline, theophylline, or other xanthine-containing medication, a loading dose of 5 mg/kg ideal (lean) body-weight or 250 to 500 mg of aminophylline may be given intravenously over 20 to 30 minutes by slow injection or infusion, followed by a maintenance infusion dose of 500 micrograms/kg per hour.
Older patients and those with cor pulmonale, heart failure, or liver disease may require lower maintenance doses smokers often need higher maintenance doses. A loading dose may not be considered necessary unless the patient’s condition is deteriorating. Intravenous aminophylline is best avoided in patients already taking theophylline, aminophylline, or other xanthine-containing medication but, if considered necessary, the serum-theophylline concentration should first be assessed and the initial loading dose should be calculated on the basis that each 600 micrograms/kg of aminophylline (equivalent to 500 micrograms/kg theophylline) will increase serum-theophylline concentration by 1 microgram/mL.
In the management of chronic bronchospasm aminophylline may be given orally as modified-release preparations a usual dose is aminophylline hydrate 225 to 450 mg twice daily. Therapy should start with the lower dose and be increased as appropriate. Retitration of the dosage is required if the patient is changed from one modified-release preparation to another as the bioavailability of modified-release aminophylline preparations may vary.
For doses of aminophylline used in children, see Administration in Children, below. Intramuscular injection of aminophylline causes intense local pain and is not recommended. Aminophylline has also been used as the hydrochloride.
Administration, rectal administration.
Absorption from aminophylline suppositories is erratic and this dose form has been associated with toxicity, hence the warnings that suppositories should not be used, especially in children. In the UK suppositories are no longer readily available and one hospital wishing to use the rectal route for apnoea in premature infants (see Neonatal Apnoea) achieved therapeutic plasma-theophylline concentrations with a specially formulated rectal gel.
Administration in children.
Aminophylline may be given intravenously, by slow injection or infusion, to manage acute severe bronchospasm in children. Doses should be calculated using ideal or lean body-weight. In children who have not been taking aminophylline, theophylline or other xanthine-containing medicine, UK licensed product information recommends a loading dose of 5 mg/kg given by slow injection or infusion over 20 to 30 minutes. Initial maintenance dose ranges are:
- 6 months up to 10 years of age: 1 mg/kg per hour
- 10 to 16 years of age: 800 micrograms/kg per hour Although unlicensed in the UK for use in children under 6 months, the BNFC allows a dose of 1 mg/kg per hour from 1 month of age. Children aged from 16 years and above may be given adult doses, see Uses and Administration, above. Serum-theophylline concentrations should be used to guide further dose adjustments.
Children who are already receiving theophylline, aminophylline or other xanthine-containing medicines, should not normally receive intravenous aminophylline unless serum-theophylline concentration is available to guide dosage. Loading doses are based on the expectation that each 500 micrograms/kg lean body-weight of theophylline will result in a 1-microgram/mL increase in serum-theophylline concentration.
Oral modified-release preparations are given to children with a body-weight over 40 kg in the long-term management of chronic bronchospasm. An initial dose of 225 mg twice daily may be given if the child has not previously received xanthine preparations, increased after 1 week to 450 mg twice daily according to serum-theophylline concentrations. Different modified-release preparations are not considered interchangeable. Aminophylline may also be used in the management of neonatal apnoea.
Although the injection is unlicensed in the UK in children under 6 months of age, the BNFC recommends an initial dose of 6 mg/kg by intravenous injection over 20 minutes. This is followed by 2.5 mg/kg every 12 hours, increased if necessary to 3.5 mg/kg every 12 hours. The plasma theophylline concentration for optimum response in neonatal apnoea is 8 to 12 mg/litre. For further information on the dosage of theophylline itself in neonates, see Administration in Infants.
Erectile dysfunction.
For reference to the use of a cream containing aminophylline, isosorbide dinitrate, and codergocrine mesilate in the treatment of erectile dysfunction, see under Glyceryl Trinitrate.
Methotrexate neurotoxicity.
For reference to the use of aminophylline or theophylline to relieve the acute neurotoxicity of methotrexate, see Other Drugs, under Treatment of Adverse Effects.
Motor neurone disease.
A study in 25 patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis found that aminophylline improved the endurance of respiratory muscles and increased the handgrip strength of skeletal muscles it may have some potential therapeutic benefit in such patients.
Reduction of body fat.
Cosmetic aminophylline cream has been promoted for its supposed ability to remove fat (‘cellulite’) from the thighs. Concern has been raised about the potential for topical sensitisation.
Preparations
British Pharmacopoeia 2008: Aminophylline Injection; Aminophylline Tablets
The United States Pharmacopeia 31, 2008: Aminophylline Delayed-release Tablets; Aminophylline Injection; Aminophylline Oral Solution; Aminophylline Rectal Solution; Aminophylline Suppositories; Aminophylline Tablets.
Proprietary Preparations
Argentina: Cardirenalf Fadafilina Larjanfilina
Austria: Euphyllin Mundiphyllin
Brazil: Aminoima Aminoliv Asmafin Asmapen Asmodrin Asmoquinol Minoton Unifilin
Canada: Phyllocontin
Chile: Cardiominf
Czech Republic: Pharophyllin Syntophyllin
Denmark: Teofylamin
Finland: Aminocont
Germany: Phyllotemp
Hungary: Diaphyllin
Indonesia: Phyllocontin
Ireland: Phyllocontin
Italy: Aminomal Tefamin
Japan: Neophyllin
Mexico: Amofilin Drafilyn-Z
The Netherlands: Euphyllin
Portugal: Filotempo
South Africa: Peterphyllin Phyllocontin
Sweden: Teofyllamin
Switzerland: Escophylline-H Phyllotemp
Thailand: Asmalia Fileen-P Turfc Aminocardol Asmafilin Carena
UK: Amnivent Phyllocontin
USA: Truphylline
Venezuela: Broncophilina
Multi-ingredient
Austria: Asthma-Hilfe Limptar Myocardon
Brazil: Alergo Filinal Alergotox Expectorante Alergotox Dispneitrat
Germany: Limptar
Hong Kong: Asmeton
Mexico: Isobutil Paliatil
Portugal: Anti-Asmatico
Thailand: Asmeton
USA: Emergent-Ez
Venezuela: Fedratal
He knows everything about medications – to which pharmacological group the drug belongs, what components are included in its composition, how it differs from its analogs, what indications, contraindications, and side effects remedy has. John is a real pro in his field, so he knows all these subtleties and wants to tell you about them.