What medications should be avoided by people having asthma?
In fact, asthmatics taking theophylline should check with their physician before taking any OTC medication, as the list of drugs, including antihistamines, which affect theophylline levels is almost endless. Aspirin can trigger an asthma attack in approximately one in five asthmatics. Cough medicines should also be treated with caution. In general, suppressing a productive cough (one which is bringing up mucus) is not a good idea, since the mucus can obstruct the airways and also irritate them further. They may make you sleepy and reduce your breathing effort. They may also dry out your secretions, making mucus harder to raise. Cimetidine (Tagamet) and Troleandomycin (TAO), beta-blocker drugs such as Propranolol, and the antibiotics Erythromycin and Ciprofloxacin. These medications may increase the concentration of theophylline in the bloodstream, possibly even to the toxic level. Beta-blockers work by blocking the hormone adrenalin, but as adrenalin and other adrenergic drugs help kee
