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Theophylline and methylxanthines
SACAA Part 67 assessment
Not acceptable / incompatible with flying duties
Active ingredient(s)
Theophylline and methylxanthines
Bronchodilator — methylxanthine
Guidance notes
Methylxanthines and their combinations are unacceptable for aviation duty. Narrow therapeutic margin with tremor, palpitations, insomnia and nausea. Inhaled therapy is the acceptable route.
Category rules that also apply
Topical preparations — 10% body surface area rule
Topical preparations are treated as acceptable only while applied to no more than 10% of body surface area (roughly one arm, or the palm-size rule ×10). Above that, systemic absorption becomes significant and the preparation is assessed as if taken systemically — including topical corticosteroids, NSAID gels and antihistamine creams. Broken or inflamed skin increases absorption further.
Known SA brand names
Our DAME partners
Dr Berlize du Plessis
Senior DAME · MS213
Kenridge, Cape Town
Dr Brandon Head
Senior DAME · MS229
Sunninghill, Sandton
Dr Ernest Schutz
Senior DAME · MS028
Germiston
Dr Mariska van Tonder
Senior DAME · MS222
Somerset West
Dr Richard Albrecht
Senior DAME · MS074
Strubensvalley, Roodepoort
Dr. Schalk Reyneke
Senior DAME · MS123
Honeydew, Roodepoort
Possible acceptable alternatives (same therapeutic group)
Alternatives are informational only. The underlying medical condition must also be assessed by a DAME — a condition can ground you even when the medicine is acceptable.