INTRODUCTION

UNICONTIN E 400MG contains Theophylline which belongs to the group of medicines called Bronchodilators. It is used to manage asthma and other long-term breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis and related bronchospastic disorders. It can also be used to manage heart failure.

Asthma is a respiratory disease in which the airways become inflamed, swollen, and narrowed. It also causes excessive mucous secretion in the airways which makes it difficult for the air to pass through leading to unpleasant symptoms like wheezing, difficulty in breathing, chest pain or cough. COPD is a lung disease characterized by progressive persistent airflow limitation associated with an enhanced chronic inflammation and tissue destruction in the airways and the lungs.

Theophylline is a bronchodilator. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the airways tract and the blood vessels supplying the lungs. This causes widening of the airway tract, which enhances airflow through the airways and the lungs. Additionally, it can also block the release of certain chemicals in the airways that causes airway inflammation.

Avoid smoking and consumption of alcohol during management with UNICONTIN E 400MG, as it may change the way this medicine works. Before taking UNICONTIN E 400MG, inform your doctor if you have any heart, lung, kidney, or liver problems. You must also inform your doctor if you have stomach ulcers, porphyria, epilepsy, or any viral infection.

Consult your doctor before taking UNICONTIN E 400MG if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. It is not recommended for children (younger than 6 months) and should be used with caution in elderly patients.

The most common side effects of taking UNICONTIN E 400MG are nausea, headache, vomiting, and diarrhea. Contact your doctor if any of these side effect worsens.

USES OF UNICONTIN E 400MG

It is used to manage:

• Asthma
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
• Chronic bronchitis
• Heart failure

HOW UNICONTIN E 400MG WORKS

UNICONTIN E 400MG is a bronchodilator. It relaxes the smooth muscle of the airways tract and the blood vessels supplying the lungs. This causes widening of the airway tract, which enhances airflow through the airways and the lungs. Additionally, it can also block the release of certain chemicals in the airways that causes airway inflammation.

DIRECTIONS FOR USE

Take UNICONTIN E 400MG as advised by your physician. Swallow UNICONTIN E 400MG with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine. Your doctor will decide the correct dose and duration of therapy for you depending upon your age, body weight and disease condition. Do not stop taking UNICONTIN E 400MG without consulting your doctor.

SIDE EFFECTS OF UNICONTIN E 400MG

HOW TO MANAGE SIDE EFFECTS

Nausea or Vomiting:

Take UNICONTIN E 400MG with or just after meals. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating oil rich or spicy foods. Consult your doctor if your vomiting worsens.

Headache:  

Rest and relax. Keep yourself hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Applying a pain-relieving balm on your forehead can be beneficial. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your headache. Consult your doctor if your headache worsens.

Dizziness:

Try to rest and relax. Get enough sleep. Avoid driving or operating any tools or machines completely while you are feeling dizzy. Do not consume excessive alcohol, as it could aggravate your dizziness. Consult your doctor if your dizziness worsens.

WARNING & PRECAUTIONS

INTERACTIONS

A. Drug-Drug Interaction:

Before taking UNICONTIN E 400MG, inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• other medicines used to manage asthma or breathing problems (Ex. aminophylline, salbutamol, terbutaline, salmeterol, prednisolone, hydrocortisone)
• medicines used to increase urine production (Ex. furosemide, chlorthalidone)
• oral contraceptives (Ex. ethinyl estradiol, progestin)
• St John’s Wort (an herbal medicine used to manage depression)
• medicines used to manage cancer (Ex. aminoglutethimide, methotrexate, lomustine)
• medicines used to manage fits (Ex. carbamazepine, phenytoin)
• medicines used to help you sleep or manage anxiety (Ex. phenobarbital, diazepam)
• medicines used to manage high blood pressure or other heart problems (Ex. adenosine, diltiazem, isoprenaline, mexiletine, propafenone, propranolol, verapamil, regadenoson, dipyridamol)
• pentoxifylline (a medicine used to manage diseased blood vessels)
• medicines used to manage viral infections (Ex. acyclovir, ritonavir)
• medicines used to manage gout (Ex. sulphinpyrazone, allopurinol)
• carbimazole (a medicine used to manage thyroid gland problems)
• medicines used to manage stomach ulcers, indigestion, or heartburn (Ex. cimetidine or nizatidine)
• medicines used to manage infections (Ex. ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, erythromycin, enoxacin)
• fluconazole (a medicine used to manage fungal infections)
• medicines used to manage tuberculosis (Ex. rifampicin or isoniazid)
• interferons (used to manage conditions such as herpes, cancer, leukaemia, or hepatitis)
• thiabendazole (a medicine used to manage worm infections like threadworms)
• medicines used to manage depression (Ex. fluvoxamine or lithium)
• doxapram (a medicine used to stimulate breathing)
• disulfiram (a medicine used to manage alcoholism)
• ephedrine (a medicine used to manage cough or congestion)
• medicines used to prevent pain (Ex. halothane and ketamine)

Overdosage:

If you or anyone else accidentally took more UNICONTIN E 400MG, consult your doctor immediately or visit the nearby hospital. Symptoms of overdose might include stomach pain, nausea, vomiting (probably with blood), irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, restlessness, overactive reflexes, unusual muscle stiffness or fits.

SYNOPSIS

MORE INFORMATION

• Keep UNICONTIN E 400MG out of reach of children
• Store UNICONTIN E 400MG at room temperature

FAQs ABOUT UNICONTIN E 400MG

What is UNICONTIN E 400MG used for?

UNICONTIN E 400MG contains Theophylline which belongs to the group of medicines called Bronchodilators. It is used to manage asthma, long-term breathing problems such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (emphysema, chronic bronchitis), related bronchospastic disorders asthma, and are sometimes used to manage heart failure.

Can UNICONTIN E 400MG cause vomiting?

Yes. Vomiting is a common side effect of UNICONTIN E 400MG. Try to take UNICONTIN E 400MG with or just after a meal or a snack. Stick to simple meals. Avoid eating rich or spicy food. If you are experiencing vomiting, get adequate rest, drink lots of fluids, especially water. Do not take any medicine for vomiting on your own. Consult your doctor if it persists for a longer period.

How to take UNICONTIN E 400MG?

Take UNICONTIN E 400MG as advised by your physician. Swallow UNICONTIN E 400MG with a glass of water. Do not crush or chew the medicine.

Can UNICONTIN E 400MG be used in children?

UNICONTIN E 400MG should be used in children and adolescents (aged above 6 years) only if prescribed by the physician. Therefore, consult your doctor before taking it.

What if I forget to take a dose of UNICONTIN E 400MG?

Take UNICONTIN E 400MG straight away if you remember within 4 hours from the time of due of taking the medicine, and then continue your management as usual. If you are more than 4 hours late, consult your doctor for advice. Do not take UNICONTIN E 400MG twice to make up for the forgotten dose.

Can I stop taking UNICONTIN E 400MG on my own?

Do not alter or discontinue the daily dose of UNICONTIN E 400MG without consulting your doctor. Continue to take UNICONTIN E 400MG until your doctor advises you to take it to achieve better results.

Can UNICONTIN E 400MG cause headache?

Yes, headache is one of the most common side effects of taking UNICONTIN E 400MG. In case if you are experiencing a headache after taking UNICONTIN E 400MG, try to rest and relax. Keep drinking plenty of fluids such as water or electrolytes. Apply a pain-relieving balm on the forehead if needed. Do not consume too much of alcohol. Consult your doctor if headache persists for a long time.

Can I take UNICONTIN E 400MG and steroids together?

UNICONTIN E 400MG is known to have interactions with steroids. UNICONTIN E 400MG when taken together with steroids may cause low blood potassium levels. This may lead to weakness, lethargy, confusion, tingling sensation of the extremities, or feelings of heaviness in the legs. Contact your doctor if you experience any such symptoms.

Can I consume alcohol or smoke after taking UNICONTIN E 400MG?

No. It is strictly advisable not to consume alcohol or smoke as they are known to interact and alter the way UNICONTIN E 400MG works. Therefore, avoid drinking or smoking while undergoing therapy with UNICONTIN E 400MG.

REFERENCES

1. Barbara G. Wells, Joseph T. DiPiro, Terry L. Shwinghammer, Cecily V. DiPiro. Asthma. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Pharmacotherapy Handbook. Ninth edition. Page-821, 835.

2. Talha N. Jilani; Charles V. Preuss; Sandeep Sharma. Theophylline. NIH. National Library of Medicine. National Center of Biotechnology information. PMC PubMed Central. May 2022. [Accessed on 7th July 2022] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK519024/#:~:text=Go%20to%3A-,Mechanism%20of%20Action,adenosine%2C%20methacholine%2C%20and%20allergens

3. Bard Pharmaceuticals Limited. Electronic Medicines Compendium (EMC). [Revised in January 2019] [Accessed 7th May 2022] https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/files/pil.7719.pdf

4. AA Pharma Inc. Theophylline. [Revised in April 2019] [Accessed 7th May 2022] https://www.aapharma.ca/downloads/en/PIL/2019/Theo_LA-Pr_Mono-ENG-Apr_29_2019.pdf

5. Dailymed. Theophylline. [Revised in November 2021] [Accessed 7th May 2022] https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=038c2b07-8028-4dc4-847c-adafe1b0e81a