Beverages such as tea and coffee have been consumed for several centuries now. These beverages contained xanthines, which was always in an indirect form. Xanthines are more potent stimulants, their main effect consists mainly of opposing the actions of the sleepiness-inducing adenosine, making them somewhat less effective as stimulants than sympathomimetic amines
Abstract
Xanthines are a group of alkaloids commonly used for their effects as mild stimulants and as bronchodilators, notably in treating the symptoms of asthma.
[1]
Brand Names
Difil-G
Dy-G
Dilex-G
COPD
Neoasma
Dilex-G 400
Difil-G 400
Difil G Forte
ED-Bron G
Lufyllin-GG
Dyphylline-GG
Broncomar
Theocon
Guiaphed
Jay-Phyl
[2]
History
Beverages such as tea and coffee have been consumed for several centuries now. These beverages contained xanthines, which was always in an indirect form. Credit for the introduction of xanthines into the treatment of asthma has usually been attributed to Herrmann and to Greene, and their respective colleagues, who showed the appreciable effect of intravenous theophylline in 1937.
[3]
Pharmacology
Xanthines are more potent stimulants, their main effect consists mainly of opposing the actions of the sleepiness-inducing adenosine, making them somewhat less effective as stimulants than sympathomimetic amines. Due to widespread effects, the therapeutic range of xanthines is narrow, making them merely a second-line asthma treatment. The therapeutic level is 10-20 micrograms/mL blood; signs of toxicity include tremor, nausea, nervousness, and tachycardia/arrhythmia.
[4]
Uses
Xanthines improve breathing by opening air passages in the lungs. They are used in the treatment of asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. As medication it works best when taken on an empty stomach one hour before or two hours after meals. If stomach upset occurs, it may be taken with food. Long acting capsules and tablets must be swallowed whole. Crushing or chewing them may destroy the long action and increase the possibility of side effects
[5]
Scheduling
It is an unscheduled drug.
Psychological and physical addiction liability
Xanthines can give rise to symptoms suggestive of intoxication, including tachycardia, pupillary dilatation, elevated blood pressure, hyperreflexia, sweating, chills, nausea or vomiting, and abnormal behaviour such as fighting, grandiosity, hypervigilance, agitation, and impaired judgement. Chronic misuse commonly induces personality and behaviour changes such as impulsivity, aggressivity, irritability, and suspiciousness. A full-blown delusional psychosis may occur. Cessation of intake after prolonged or heavy use may produce a withdrawal syndrome, with depressed mood, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and increased dreaming.
[6]
Withdrawal Effects
Abrupt withdrawal of xanthines may cause headaches, drowsiness, irritability, nausea, vomiting, and other symptoms. Reduce caffeine intake gradually to prevent any symptoms of withdrawal.
[3]
Long term effects
Research has shown that long-term intake of xanthine is fairly well-tolerated by most adult asthmatics. However, long-term effects may be associated with elevation in liver enzyme levels and unpredictable blood levels, thereby limiting its clinical usefulness.
[7]
Physical effects
Physical effect may include, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, loss of appetite, nausea/vomiting, sleeplessness, irritability, restlessness, headache, increased thirst, fever, ringing in ears, delirium, muscle twitching or weakness, seizures, sweating, or fast breathing.
[5]
Psychological treatment options
Hypnotherapy and Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP)
[5]
Medical Treatment options
There are no medications currently available recommended by the FDA for Xanthines addiction. As this area remains largely unexplored, just breaking the schedule from the intake of sources of xanthines is best recommended.
Pychological Treament
Hypnotherapy and Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) are the available psychological treatment options. The use hypnotherapy and NLP to help a patient break out of this loop. NLP helps in changing patterns in a conscious way while hypnotherapy helps in communicating with a patient's unconscious pattern.
Related drugs
Drugs related to xanthines are:
Theobromine
Theophylline
Caffeine
Theophylline
Related synthetics
References
Related synthetics
Theophylline
Aminophylline
Adenosine
[5]
References
[1] http://livertox.nih.gov/XanthineDerivatives.htm
[2] http://www.umm.edu/drug/notes/Xanthine-bronchodilators-By-mouth.htm
[3] http://thorax.highwire.org/content/40/12/881.full.pdf
[4] http://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/cr0682195
[5] http://www.medicinenet.com/xanthine_derivatives-oral/article.htm
[6] http://www.who.int/substance_abuse/terminology/who_lexicon/en/
[7] http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7956392
