Nuelin SR 125/Nuelin SR 250 Dosage/Direction for Use

Desirable therapeutic levels are considered to be between 10-20 μg/mL (55-110 micromole/L). Higher levels may produce toxic effects. Toxic effects may also occur at therapeutic levels. When maximum response is required, dose levels should be individually titrated. Serum theophylline may be monitored to confirm that levels are within the therapeutic range. Monitoring is particularly recommended when dose levels exceed 1 g daily in adults or 24 mg/kg daily in children.
Adults: 250 mg every twelve hours. This dose can be gradually increased or decreased by half a tablet if sufficient therapeutic effect is not achieved or if side effects occur.
Children: Appropriate dosage adjustments should be made for smoking, heart failure, acute pulmonary oedema, chronic alcohol ingestion, established hepatic cirrhosis, severe airways obstruction, severe pneumonia, severe hypoxia, thyroid function, adolescence (12-18 years), children (8-12 years) and concomitant use of interacting drugs. (See Interactions).
Children have rapid clearance of theophylline and may require a dosage increase that should be controlled by measurement of serum theophylline.
Theophylline (Nuelin SR) is not recommended for administration to children under 2 years of age. For children over 2 years, administration as advised by the physician. The daily dose should be adjusted according to body weight, usually on the basis of up to 10 mg/kg body weight every twelve hours. As a guideline, a child from 12 kg to 25 kg body weight (2-7 years) usually requires 125 mg bid and a child over 25 kg, 250 mg bid.
Elderly: In patients aged over 65 years theophylline clearance is decreased by approximately 25%.
NOTE: Theophylline (Nuelin SR) tablets should be taken every twelve hours. On no account should the tablets be chewed or crushed.