Filodox SR

Indications of Filodox SR

Doxophylline is used to treat asthma, COPD and bronchospasm.

 

Pharmaceutical Name

Navana Pharmaceuticals Ltd.

 

Pharmacology

Doxophylline is a novel bronchodilator. It structurally differs from Theophylline due to the presence of a dioxolane group in position 7. Doxophylline selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase 4 thereby relaxes bronchial smooth muscle. However, differently from Theophylline, Doxophylline appears to have decreased affinities toward adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, which may account for the better safety profile of the drug. Doxophylline is reported to inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF) and generation of leukotriene production.

 

Dosage & Administration

Elderly: 200 mg tablet two or three times daily.

Adults: 400 mg tablet two or three times daily or as prescribed by the physician.

Children:

• >12 years of age: 10 ml syrup or 200 mg tablet two or three times daily.
• 6-12 years of age: 6-9 mg/kg body weight two times daily, i.e. if body weight is 10 kg, 3 ml (60 mg) two times daily or as prescribed by the physician.

If required daily dose of Doxophylline is 400 mg then Doxophylline SR tablet to be taken once daily or as prescribed by the physician

 

Interaction of Filodox SR

Doxophylline should not be administered together with other xanthine derivatives. Toxic synergism with ephedrine has been documented for xanthines. Like other xanthines, concomitant therapy with troleandomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, ranitidine, propranolol and anti-flu vaccine may decrease the hepatic clearance of xanthines causing an increase in blood levels. No evidence of a relationship between Doxophylline serum concentrations and toxic events have been reported.

 

Contraindications

Doxophylline is contraindicated in acute myocardial infarction. It is also contraindicated in patients with hypotension, in lactating women & patients who have shown hypersensitivity to its components.

 

Side Effects of Filodox SR

Doxophylline rarely causes serious side effects, however possible side effects are similar for taking excess amount of caffeine. These include: nausea, vomiting, headache, upset stomach and heartburn.

 

Pregnancy & Lactation

Animal reproduction studies indicate that, Doxophylline does not cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant animals or can not affect reproduction capacity. However, since there is limited experience in human during pregnancy, xanthines should be given to pregnant women only if clearly needed. Doxophylline is contraindicated in nursing mothers.

 

Precautions & Warnings

The half-life of xanthine derivatives is influenced by a number of known variables. It may be prolonged in patients with liver disease, in patients with congestive heart failure and in those patients taking certain other drugs like erythromycin, troleandomycin, lincomycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, propanolol and anti-flu vaccine. In these cases, a lower dose of Doxophylline may be needed. Phenytoin, other anticonvulsants and smoking may cause an increase in clearance with a shorter mean half-life. In these cases higher doses of Doxophylline may be needed.

 

Therapeutic Class

Bronchodilator, Methyl xanthine derivatives

 

Storage Conditions

Keep in a dry place away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children. Doxophylline should be used only on prescription of specialist physician.

 

Generic of Filodox SR

Doxophylline