Tedral

Tedral, or theophylline/ephedrine/phenobarbital, is a medicine formerly used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD), chronic bronchitis, and emphysema.^[2] It is a combination drug containing three active ingredients - theophylline, ephedrine, phenobarbital.^[2] This medication relaxes the smooth muscle of the airways, making breathing easier.^[3] The common side effects of Tedral include gastrointestinal disturbances, dizziness, headache and lightheadedness.^[3][4][5] However, at high dose, it may lead to cardiac arrhythmias, hypertension, seizures or other serious cardiovascular and/or central nervous system adverse effects.^[6][7][8] Tedral is contraindicated in individuals with hypersensitivity to theophylline, ephedrine and/or phenobarbital. It should be also used in caution in patients with cardiovascular complications, such as ischemic heart disease and heart failure and/or other disease conditions.^[3][9] It can cause a lot of drug–drug interactions. Therefore, before prescribing patient with Tedral, drug interactions profile should be carefully checked if the patient had other concurrent medication(s). Being used as a treatment option for respiratory diseases for decades, Tedral was withdrawn from the US market in 2006 due to safety concerns.^[10][11]