Theophylline Discontinued

Terri Says:
Tue, Mar 08 '16, 7:15 PM via mobile

I have been told that theophylline er is being discontinued. Is this true? I have taken it for years for asthma.

Verwon Says:
Tue, Mar 15 '16, 6:59 PM
Hello, Terri! How are you?

I've not found anything about it being discontinued. Where you told that by a pharmacist or did it come from some other source?

There were a couple that were discontinued back in 2003, due to the fact that it's rarely prescribed, anymore. But I've not read anything in my various resources that the current one available is being discontinued. Though, a doctor or pharmacist may, admittedly, have more updated information than I do.

The FDA lists its typical side effects as possibly including nausea, dizziness and dry mouth.

Does anyone else know anything about this?

Lisa Says:
Sun, Mar 20 '16, 8:29 PM
From what I've been told, all strengths of Theophylline is on back order due to increased demand. I rely on this drug to breathe and am totally miserable now. I was told it would be available most likely by mid April but that is not a definite. I have no idea why there is suddenly an increased demand.

Dave Says:
Fri, Mar 25 '16, 2:09 PM via mobile
I too rely on this prescription to breathe. My pharmacy is telling me that 200 mg ER has been discontinued, but 300 and 400 mg doses are still available. They had sketchy info on whether these doses would continue.

Terri Dowell Says:
Sun, Mar 27 '16, 2:17 PM via mobile
Hi, so far holding ok without but feel an infection could really set me on my behind! My pulmanologist told my of the discontinuation, but he's also not a fan of theophylline. (He's a new doctor for me so I don't know him well yet.) I hope tumors are not true, it's very difficult to find something that works really well and breathing is not something you want to experiment with. Wish the drug company yes/no guys could live a day or two on our shoes!

Lisa Says:
Sun, Mar 27 '16, 5:20 PM
I wish a pharmacy near me would be able to get any strength! It would be better than nothing. I take 450 mg ER tabs twice a day. Right now, all I have is Albuterol by nebulizer. I can't use corticosteroids and I tried Ipratroprium but it gave me migraines and insanely high blood pressure.

Terri Dowell Says:
Sun, Mar 27 '16, 7:59 PM via mobile
So sorry- I wrote in ERROR tumors and meant rumors! Hope I didn't scare anyone!!!!

Dave Says:
Mon, Mar 28 '16, 11:37 AM via mobile
Just got my theophylline refilled but name brand, Theo-24, so it was much more expensive. Pharmacist said they can't get any generic strengths, all are on back order. Hope this helps!

llw727 Says:
Sat, Apr 02 '16, 1:40 AM
I was also told by my pharmacy could not fill complete prescription, only 20 out of 30 supply, Theophylline 200 mg. None in stock, back order, discontinued from lack of use.

llw727 Says:
Sat, Apr 02 '16, 1:48 AM
Hey, I found an article dated 2/6/16 that shows it should be back in supply by May 2016. Fingers crossed!

Lisa Says:
Sat, Apr 02 '16, 7:04 AM via mobile
From what I've read, it's back ordered due to increased demand. Apparently in recent years they've realized it is good as a cough medicine so there's a greater demand. Probably because of its mucolytic properties.

Lisa Says:
Sun, Apr 03 '16, 3:50 AM via mobile
I got my 450 mg of Theophylline yesterday!! I already feel so much better! Check with your pharmacies!

Katelon Says:
Sat, Apr 09 '16, 9:01 PM
Wow, great to find this thread. I've been on theophylline for 43 years and tried everything else to replace it and nothing worked. I take 2 1/2 of the 200 each day and now can't find it anywhere. I've called all the regular pharmacies and even private ones and all I found was higher dosages and the very expensive, over $100 type. All pharmacies told me it was discontinued, not that it was just back ordered. I truly hope it is just back ordered. I bet it has nothing to do with running out of it...how could that be? It is probably more to do with the fact that it is inexpensive.

Lisa Says:
Sat, Apr 09 '16, 11:01 PM via mobile
They recently realized that Theophylline also works as a cough medicine so the demand increased and the manufacturers could not keep up. I finally got my Rx filled last week after three weeks of hell thinking I was doing to die.

Sues Says:
Thu, Apr 14 '16, 9:54 AM
I've only been on this since last fall but it has worked wonders along with the advair and spireva. One pharmacy was able to give me double tablets in lesser strength. Then could not get any at all. Tried a new pharmacy and was just told it's on back order. No idea when it will be filled. My Dr heard it was getting discontinued but a website said on backorder due to high demand and should be available mid April. We'll see.

Donna Says:
Thu, Apr 21 '16, 2:06 PM via mobile
I was just told also that it was dicontinued by my pharmacy.

Katelon Says:
Thu, Apr 21 '16, 2:49 PM
I wrote Plivia, who made the theophylline I was taking and Teva CS pharmaceuticals replied stating that unfortunately all strengths of Theophylline ER are temporarily unavailable with no release date at this time. That's all they had to say. So it seems to me if it had been discontinued, that's what they would have stated.

My pharmacy hunted around for me, as I presently use the 200 mg. tablets 2x day, and they found some. I also found 400 mg. tablets at another pharmacy, so got a prescription for that. I'm building a stash and hopefully soon they will make it again.

Pharmacists told me that most people with lung problems have found relief with other drugs but that hasn't been the case for me and it seems like all you who have posted here.

Ally Says:
Sun, Apr 24 '16, 1:59 AM via mobile
Hi, I work in a pharmacy and I can tell you that Major is the brand that discontinued all of their extended release theophylline. Teva brand has extended release, but they cannot release a date when they will release it or comment on the shortage.

Katie Says:
Sun, May 01 '16, 10:14 AM
Wow, just found this out trying to refill my 7# min-pin dog's script. She has been on the 100mg 1x per day. Yes, this is a common canine med for congestive heart failure and cardiomyopathy. Has taken it 1-100 tab quartered 4x a day. Vets are freaking out, too, as its been an effective medication. My Abby has been on it for nearly 4 years. Costco Pharmacy is working on a compound for me in a liquid form to sub. Feel bad for all you human users of this drug, as it has been a lifesaver for so many of you.

metaluna Says:
Fri, May 06 '16, 9:29 AM
Supply is not meeting demand so what does the maker do? Raises the price over 700% than what you normally paid! Our cat needs the pill broken in half and all that is available now are capsules, which have to be broken up? On the bottle, it clearly states, "Do not crush." I have to open one up and divide it. Our price today was $60 from Costco for a month supply. We used to pay $8 for 100 - Now $60 for 30. Actient Pharma...you're price gouging and expect a legal suit.

Katelon Says:
Fri, May 06 '16, 12:46 PM
I figured it had to do with money. I used to take albuterol tablets, 2 mg. as an addition to my other asthma meds. I have the walgreens perscription plan and would pay maybe $12 bucks for a 3 month supply. It helped keep me off of prednisone. But then, in June 2013, the price skyrocketed to $100 for a month's supply...a very, very old drug, made unaffordable.