What is a common side effect associated with the use of theophylline?

Theophylline, a medication commonly used in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, often leads to gastrointestinal upset as one of its side effects. This can manifest as nausea, vomiting, or abdominal discomfort. The mechanism behind this side effect could be attributed to the drug's effects on the gastrointestinal tract, as it can stimulate acid secretion and increase gut motility.

In clinical practice, patients on theophylline should be monitored for these gastrointestinal symptoms, especially at higher serum concentrations where the risk of side effects increases. This underscores the importance of regular therapeutic drug monitoring to ensure that patients remain within a safe and effective dose range, effectively minimizing the risk of side effects while still managing respiratory symptoms.

The presence of nausea as a common side effect of theophylline highlights the need for healthcare providers to educate patients about what to expect and how to mitigate this side effect, possibly through dietary adjustments or timing of medication administration in relation to meals.