Nuelin-SR (Theophylline)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Nuelin-SR Used For?
Nuelin-SR contains theophylline, which helps relax the muscles lining your airways to make breathing easier. It’s a slow-release medication that works for about 12 hours per dose.
Primary Uses
Nuelin-SR is used to treat asthma and other conditions that make breathing difficult. It also helps prevent asthma attacks from occurring.
How It Works
The active ingredient theophylline causes the muscle lining of the airways to relax, making it easier to breathe. As a slow-release medicine, each tablet provides relief for approximately 12 hours.
Emergency Relief: Nuelin-SR will not give you relief during an asthma attack as it does not work quickly enough. Use your relieving inhaler for asthma attacks.
How to Take Nuelin-SR
Take Nuelin-SR exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The medication works best when taken regularly, even when you’re not experiencing symptoms.
Dosage Instructions
Adults: The usual dose is one tablet every 12 hours, though your doctor may adjust this. Children over 2 years: The dose depends on the child’s body weight – follow your doctor’s instructions exactly. Take with or immediately after food to avoid stomach upset. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water – do not crush or chew them.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take your missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s more than 4 hours late, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never change your dose yourself and continue taking until your doctor tells you to stop. Do not crush or chew the tablets as this affects the slow-release mechanism.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling restless, nervous or irritable
- Tremors
- Heart palpitations or fast heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Skin rashes
- Low blood pressure
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Fits (seizures)
- Blood in vomit or urine
- Reactivation of stomach ulcers
Important Warnings
Before taking Nuelin-SR, make sure your doctor knows about all your medical conditions and other medications you’re taking.
Who Should Not Take Nuelin-SR
Do not take if you’re allergic to theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine, or any ingredients in the tablets. Do not give to children under 2 years of age.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: stomach ulcer or reflux, irregular or rapid heartbeat or other heart disease, very high blood pressure, viral infection or fever, liver, thyroid or lung disease, or if you take any other medications.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor before taking if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as Nuelin-SR may affect your developing baby. If breastfeeding, discuss with your doctor as theophylline passes into breast milk and may cause irritability in nursing infants.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interfere with Nuelin-SR and affect how it works. Always tell your healthcare providers you’re taking this medication.
Blood Level Monitoring: Your doctor may need to monitor your theophylline blood levels while taking this medication, especially when starting new medicines.
- Cimetidine (for heartburn, ulcers)
- Allopurinol (for gout)
- Propranolol (for anxiety, blood pressure)
- Antibiotics like erythromycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin
- Alcohol
- Oral contraceptives
- Heart medications like mexilitene, verapamil
- Tobacco or marijuana
- Epilepsy medications like phenobarbitone, phenytoin
- St John’s wort
- Cold and flu medicines
- Corticosteroids
- Flu vaccine
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Nuelin-SR, as it may affect your reactions and increase side effects.
Alcohol
Do not drink alcohol while taking Nuelin-SR tablets. Alcohol may increase the effects of the medication and should be avoided completely.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Make sure you know how Nuelin-SR affects you before driving or operating machinery. Be careful until you understand your reaction to the medication.
Storage
Store Nuelin-SR tablets in their original bottle below 30°C. Keep them in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children and dispose of expired medication at any pharmacy.
Overdose Information
If you take too many tablets, you may experience irritability, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, or inability to sleep. Severe effects include rapid or irregular heartbeat, excessive thirst, fever, confusion, or fits. If overdose is suspected, immediately call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nuelin-SR is a slow-release medication that works for about 12 hours per tablet. It’s designed for prevention rather than immediate relief, so it should be taken regularly as prescribed even when you’re not having symptoms.
Yes, you should take Nuelin-SR with or immediately after food to prevent stomach upset. This helps reduce the risk of nausea and stomach pain.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it’s more than 4 hours late, skip that dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
No, you should not drink alcohol while taking Nuelin-SR tablets. Alcohol may increase the effects of the medication and should be avoided completely.
Do not stop taking Nuelin-SR or reduce the dose without consulting your doctor first. Your doctor will provide guidance on how to safely discontinue the medication if needed.
No, never crush or chew Nuelin-SR tablets. They are designed as slow-release tablets and must be swallowed whole with a full glass of water to work properly.
No, Nuelin-SR will not give you relief during an asthma attack as it doesn’t work quickly enough. Use your relieving inhaler for asthma attacks. Nuelin-SR is for prevention and long-term management.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.