Indications of Docopa 400 mg

Docopa 400 mg is used to treat the following indications: Bronchial asthma, Bronchospasm, Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Pulmonary disease with a spastic bronchial component.

Theropeutic Class

Bronchodilator, Methyl xanthine derivatives

Pharmacology

Docopa 400 mg is a novel bronchodilator that structurally differs from Theophylline due to the presence of a dioxolane group in position 7. It selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase 4, relaxing bronchial smooth muscle. However, unlike Theophylline, Docopa 400 mg appears to have decreased affinities toward adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, potentially accounting for its improved safety profile. Additionally, it is reported to inhibit platelet-activating factor (PAF) and the generation of leukotriene production.

Dosage and Administration of Docopa 400 mg

Elderly: 200 mg tablet two or three times daily. Adults: 400 mg tablet two or three times daily or as prescribed by the physician.

Children: andgt;12 years of age: 10 ml syrup or 200 mg tablet two or three times daily. 6-12 years of age: 6-9 mg/kg body weight two times daily, i.e. if body weight is 10 kg, 3 ml (60 mg) two times daily or as prescribed by the physician.

Interaction of Docopa 400 mg

Docopa 400 mg should not be administered together with other xanthine derivatives. Toxic synergism with ephedrine has been documented for xanthines. Like other xanthines, concomitant therapy with troleandomycin, lincomycin, clindamycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, ranitidine, propranolol, and anti-flu vaccine may decrease the hepatic clearance of xanthines, leading to an increase in blood levels.

No evidence of a relationship between Docopa 400 mg serum concentrations and toxic events has been reported.

Contraindications

Docopa 400 mg is contraindicated in acute myocardial infarction. It is also contraindicated in patients with hypotension, in lactating women and patients who have shown hypersensitivity to its components.

Side Effects of Docopa 400 mg

Docopa 400 mg rarely causes serious side effects, however possible side effects are similar for taking excess amount of caffeine. These include: nausea, vomiting, headache, upset stomach and heartburn.

Pregnancy and Lactation

Animal reproduction studies indicate that Docopa 400 mg does not cause fetal harm when administered to pregnant animals or affect reproduction capacity. However, due to limited experience in pregnant humans, xanthines should only be given to pregnant women when clearly necessary. It's important to note that Docopa 400 mg is contraindicated in nursing mothers.

Precautions and Warnings

The half-life of xanthine derivatives is influenced by a number of known variables. It may be prolonged in patients with liver disease, in patients with congestive heart failure and in those patients taking certain other drugs like erythromycin, troleandomycin, lincomycin, allopurinol, cimetidine, propanolol and anti-flu vaccine. In these cases, a lower dose of Docopa 400 mg may be needed. Phenytoin, other anticonvulsants and smoking may cause an increase in clearance with a shorter mean half-life. In these cases higher doses of Docopa 400 mg may be needed.

Overdose Effects of Docopa 400 mg

In case of overdose severe cardiac arrhythmias and tonic-clonic seizure may occur. These effects may represent the first signs of intoxication. The appearance of side effects may require discontinuation of the treatment which, if necessary, at the physician’s discretion, may be resumed at lower doses after all signs and symptoms of toxicity have subsided.As there is no specific antidote, in case of overdose a symptomatic treatment of cardiovascular collapse should be instituted.

Storage Conditions

Keep in a dry place away from light and heat. Keep out of the reach of children. Docopa 400 mg should be used only on preion of specialist physician.

Drug Classes

Bronchodilator, Methyl xanthine derivatives

Mode Of Action

Docopa 400 mg is a novel bronchodilator. It structurally differs from Theophylline due to the presence of a dioxolane group in position 7. Docopa 400 mg selectively inhibits phosphodiesterase 4 thereby relaxes bronchial smooth muscle. However, differently from Theophylline, Docopa 400 mg appears to have decreased affinities toward adenosine A1 and A2 receptors, which may account for the better safety profile of the drug. Docopa 400 mg is reported to inhibit platelet activating factor (PAF) and generation of leukotriene production.