Aminophylline overdose

Definition

Aminophylline or theophylline are medicines used to prevent and treat wheezing and other breathing difficulties caused lung diseases such as asthma.

Aminophylline or theophylline overdose occurs when someone accidentally or intentionally takes more than the normal or recommended amount of these medications.

This is for information only and not for use in the treatment or management of an actual poison exposure. If you have an exposure, you should call your local emergency number (such as 911) or the National Poison Control Center at 1-800-222-1222.

Alternative Names

Theophylline overdose; Xanthine overdose

Poisonous Ingredient

• Aminophylline
• Theophylline

Where Found

• Aminophylline
• Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Slo-Phyllin, Theolair, Slo-Bid)
• Various asthma medications

Note: This list may not be all-inclusive.

Symptoms

The major life-threatening events of theophylline intoxication are seizures and heart rhythm disturbances.

Symptoms in adults may include:

• Gastrointestinal
  • Increased appetite
  • Increased thirst
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting (possibly with blood)
• Heart and blood
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Rapid heart rate
  • Pounding heartbeat (palpitations)
• Lungs
  • Breathing difficulty
• Muscles and joints
  • Muscle twitching and cramping
• Nervous system
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Dizziness
  • Fever
  • Hallucinations (thinking something is there, but it's not)
  • Headache
  • Irritability
  • Psychosis
  • Restlessness
  • Sweating
  • Trouble sleeping

Symptoms in babies may include:

• Gastrointestinal
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
• Heart and blood
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Rapid heartbeat
  • Shock
• Lungs
  • Rapid, deep breathing
• Muscles and joints
  • Muscle cramps
  • Twitching
• Nervous system
  • Convulsions
  • Irritability
  • Tremors

Home Treatment

Seek immediate medical help. Do NOT make a person throw up unless told to do so by poison control or a health care professional.

Before Calling Emergency

Determine the following information:

• Patient's age, weight, and condition
• Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
• Time it was swallowed
• Amount swallowed

Poison Control, or a local emergency number

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the United States use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See: Poison control center - emergency number

What to expect at the emergency room

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure. Symptoms will be treated as appropriate. The patient may receive:

• Activated charcoal
• Breathing support (artificial respiration)
• Kidney dialysis (in severe cases)
• Laxative
• Tube through the nose into the stomach to wash out the stomach (gastric lavage)

Expectations (prognosis)

Convulsions and irregular heartbeats may be difficult to control. Some symptoms may occur up to 12 hours after the overdose.

Death may occur with large overdoses, especially in very young or old patients.

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References

Shannon MW. Theophylline and caffeine. In: Shannon MW, Borron SW, Burns MJ, eds. Haddad and Winchester's Clinical Management of Poisoning and Drug Overdose. 4th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 65.