Lifespan's A - Z Health Information Library

This is poisoning from swallowing a large amount of aminophylline or theophylline.

• Aminophylline
• Theophylline

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

Symptoms in adults may include:

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

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

Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician. Contact Poison Control for treatment information.

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

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 U.S. 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 National Poison Control center.

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

• Medicines to treat symptoms
• Activated charcoal
• Laxative
• A nasogastric (NG) tube thru the nose into the stomach to empty the stomach (gastric lavage)   
• Breathing help (artificial respiration)

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