Nuelin Syrup (Theophylline)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Nuelin Syrup Used For?
Nuelin Syrup contains theophylline, which helps relax the muscles lining your airways to make breathing easier.
Primary Uses
Nuelin Syrup 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 works by causing the muscle lining of the airways to relax, which opens up the breathing passages and makes it easier to breathe.
Emergency Relief: Nuelin Syrup 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 Syrup
Take Nuelin Syrup exactly as prescribed. The dose depends on your age and weight, and it’s taken every 6 hours.
Dosage Instructions
Adults and children over 12 years: 25 mL every 6 hours. Children 6-12 years (20-41 kg): 20-25 mL every 6 hours. Children 4-6 years (16-20 kg): 15-20 mL every 6 hours. Children 2-4 years (12-16 kg): 10-15 mL every 6 hours. Take one hour before food with a glass of water, or with/after food if it upsets your stomach.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take the 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.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Do not exceed the recommended dosage.
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
- Vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Reactivation of stomach ulcers
- Loss of appetite
- Headache
- Difficulty sleeping
- Feeling restless, nervous or irritable
- Tremors
- Heart palpitations or fast heartbeat
- Blood in vomit or urine
- Diarrhea
- Flushing or skin rashes
- Low blood pressure
- Rapid breathing
- Fast or irregular urine flow
- High blood sugar
- Hair loss
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Changes in heart rhythm
- Fits/seizures
Important Warnings
There are several important conditions and situations where Nuelin Syrup should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Nuelin Syrup
Do not take if you are allergic to theophylline, aminophylline, caffeine, or any ingredients in the syrup. Do not use if packaging is torn or tampered with. Not recommended for children under 2 years unless prescribed by a doctor.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: allergies to medicines, foods, or preservatives; stomach ulcer or reflux; irregular or rapid heartbeat or heart disease; very high blood pressure; viral infection or fever; liver, thyroid, or lung disease.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Check with your doctor before taking if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, as Nuelin Syrup may affect your developing baby. The medication passes into breast milk and may cause irritability in nursing infants.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can affect how Nuelin Syrup works. Your doctor may need to monitor your blood levels and adjust your dose.
Blood monitoring: Your doctor may need to take blood samples to check theophylline levels and adjust your dose accordingly.
- Cimetidine (heartburn/ulcer treatment)
- Allopurinol (gout treatment)
- Propranolol (anxiety/blood pressure)
- Antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin)
- Alcohol
- Oral contraceptives
- Mexilitene or verapamil (heart conditions)
- Tacrine (Alzheimer’s treatment)
- Thiabendazole (worm infections)
- Disulfiram (alcoholism treatment)
- Interferon alpha (cancer treatment)
- Tobacco or marijuana
- Phenobarbitone, phenytoin, carbamazepine (epilepsy)
- Lithium
- Rifampicin (tuberculosis/leprosy)
- St John’s wort
- Halothane
- Ketamine
- Ranitidine
- Diltiazem
- Nifedipine
- Isoniazid
- Frusemide
- Influenza vaccine
- Corticosteroids
- Cold and flu medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Be cautious with alcohol consumption and driving while taking Nuelin Syrup as it may affect your alertness and coordination.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may increase the effects of Nuelin Syrup and should be used with caution.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Nuelin Syrup affects you. Children should be careful with bicycles or playground equipment until effects are known.
Storage
Store Nuelin Syrup below 30°C but do not refrigerate, as storage under 15°C may cause the syrup to crystallize. Keep in the original bottle in a cool, dry place away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children.
Overdose Information
Taking too much Nuelin Syrup can cause irritability, agitation, anxiety, nausea, vomiting, or inability to sleep. Severe effects include rapid or irregular heartbeat, extreme 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 no symptoms are present.
Frequently Asked Questions
Nuelin Syrup does not work quickly enough to provide relief during an asthma attack. It is designed for ongoing treatment and prevention of breathing difficulties rather than immediate relief.
It’s best to take Nuelin Syrup one hour before food with a glass of water. However, you can take it with or immediately after food if it upsets your stomach.
Take the 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.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol, as alcohol may increase the effects of Nuelin Syrup. Use caution when consuming alcohol while on this medication.
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Nuelin Syrup affects you. The medication may cause side effects that could impair your ability to drive safely.
Do not give Nuelin Syrup to children under 2 years of age unless specifically recommended by a doctor.
Use your relieving inhaler during an asthma attack. Nuelin Syrup will not provide relief during an attack as it doesn’t work quickly enough. Contact your doctor if your asthma is getting worse or you’re having more attacks.
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.