Unicontin E 400 Tablet

Unicontin-E 400 tablet is an anti-asthmatic medicine. It contains theophylline as the active substance. It is used to treat asthma and long-term breathing difficulties such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis.

Take this medicine in the exact dose and duration as prescribed by your doctor. Do not stop taking this medicine on your own. Before starting Unicontin-E 400 tablet, inform your doctor if you are pregnant/breastfeeding and about your complete medical history.

Dosage

Overdose

If you think you have taken too much of Unicontin-E 400 tablet, contact your doctor immediately or visit the nearest hospital.

Missed a Dose

If you missed any dose of Unicontin-E 400 tablet, take it as soon as you remember. If it's time for your next dose, then skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to compensate for the missed one.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

• Unicontin-E 400 tablet helps stop you from wheezing and being breathless.
• It also reduces the swelling in the lungs of asthma patients and relieves the feeling of tightness in their chest.

Directions for Use

• Take Unicontin-E 400 tablet as directed by your doctor.
• Swallow as a whole with a glass of water.
• Do not cut, break or chew the medicine.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose.
• Do not stop taking this medicine on your own.

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Can I take Unicontin E 400mg Strip Of 10 Tablets during pregnancy?

There is limited information on the effect of Unicontin-E 400 tablet in pregnancy. This medicine should only be used in pregnant women if recommended by the doctor.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Unicontin E 400mg Strip Of 10 Tablets while breastfeeding?

Unicontin-E 400 tablet may pass into human breast milk. Hence, this medicine should only be used in breastfeeding women if recommended by the doctor after assessing the need and the risk.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Unicontin E 400mg Strip Of 10 Tablets?

Unicontin-E 400 tablet has almost no effect on driving ability. However, if you experience any symptoms that may affect your ability to drive safely, it is advised to avoid driving.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Unicontin E 400mg Strip Of 10 Tablets?

No, alcohol should not be consumed along with Unicontin-E 400 tablet.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

• You have an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure or any other heart problems.
• You experience worsening chest symptoms e.g. breathlessness or cough.
• You have an over or under-active thyroid gland (hyper/hypothyroidism).
• You have a stomach ulcer.
• You have liver problems.
• You have cystic fibrosis.
• You suffer from seizures, fits or convulsions.
• You are unwell with a high temperature or fever.
• You have a viral infection.
• You are addicted to alcohol.
• You are male and have difficulty in passing urine.
• You smoke, as smoking may alter the way this medicine works.

Contraindications

• If you are allergic to theophylline, aminophylline or any other ingredient of Unicontin-E 400 tablet.
• If you have a condition called porphyria.

Side effects

• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Rashes
• Diarrhoea
• Headache

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

• Some medicines can affect the way Unicontin-E 400 tablet works or this medicine itself can reduce the effectiveness of other medicines taken at the same time.
• Tell your doctor about all medicines, supplements or herbals you are currently taking or might take to avoid any possible interaction.
• An increase in dosage of Unicontin-E 400 tablet may be required if you are taking medicines for treating fits/seizures (carbamazepine, phenytoin), Cushing's syndrome (aminoglutethimide), decreased heart rate (isoprenaline), tuberculosis (rifampicin), HIV/AIDS (ritonavir), gouty arthritis (sulfinpyrazone), sleep disorders (barbiturates) and depression (St. John's wort).
• A decrease in dosage of Unicontin-E 400 tablet may be required if you are taking medicines for treating virus infections (acyclovir), gout (allopurinol), overactive thyroid (carbimazole), excessive acid production (cimetidine), bacterial infections (clarithromycin), heart-related chest pain (diltiazem), alcohol addiction (disulfiram), fungal/yeast infections (fluconazole), cancer (methotrexate), abnormal/irregular heart rhythm (mexiletine), poor blood circulation (pentoxifylline), high blood pressure (propranolol), worm infection (thiabendazole), oral contraceptives.
• The use of this medicine with fluvoxamine (used for the treatment of obsessive-compulsive disorder and depression) should be avoided.
• Particular care should be taken when using medicines for treating mental disorders (lithium), fluid accumulation (diuretics), inflammation (steroids) and other xanthine medicines.
• Unicontin-E 400 tablet may result in abnormal heart rhythm when used together with anaesthetics like halothane.
• This medicine may cause a deficiency of platelets in the blood when used together with medicines for treating brain tumours like lomustine.

Storage and disposal

• Store Unicontin-E 400 tablet in a cool and dry place below 25°C.
• Keep away from children and pets.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Unicontin-E 400 tablet used for?

Unicontin-E 400 tablet is used for the treatment of asthma and long-term breathing difficulties such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and chronic bronchitis.

How to take Unicontin-E 400 tablet?

• Take Unicontin-E 400 tablet as directed by your doctor.
• Swallow as a whole with a glass of water.
• Do not cut, break or chew the medicine.
• Do not take more than the recommended dose.
• Do not stop taking this medicine on your own.