Abstract
The effect of adding theophylline to treatment with a beta2-adrenoceptor stimulant was studied in 18 asthmatic children in a double-blind cross-over trial. Most patients were taking cromolyn sodium (cromoglycic acid) or beclomethasone aerosol, or both. A sustained-release preparation of theophylline was administered in individually titrated doses, producing a mean plasma theophylline concentration of about 8 micrograms/ml. Statistically significant improvements were found during the theophylline treatment in symptom score, consumption of beta2 stimulants in aerosol form, and morning peak expiratory flow rate and forced expiratory volume in one second. There was also a reduced need for emergency-room treatment during the theophylline period. Reported side effects were few and mild and were similar during the theophylline and placebo periods. Of the 17 patients who completed the trial, 14 preferred theophylline and three expressed no preference between theophylline and placebo. Adding submaximal doses of sustained-release theophylline to treatment with a beta2 stimulant gave further relief of asthmatic symptoms without appreciable side effects, suggesting that the drug combination has a favourable therapeutic index.
Full text
PDF
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Bell T., Bigley J. Sustained-release theophylline therapy for chronic childhood asthma. Pediatrics. 1978 Sep;62(3):352–358. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Floberg S., Lindström B., Lönnerholm G. Simultaneous determination of theophylline and caffeine after extractive alkylation in small volumes of plasma by gas chromatography--mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr. 1980 Nov 14;221(1):166–169. doi: 10.1016/s0378-4347(00)81020-8. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Formgren H. A clinical comparison of the effect of oral terbutaline and orciprenaline. Scand J Respir Dis. 1970;51(3):195–202. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Groggins R. C., Lenney W., Milner A. D., Stokes G. M. Efficacy of orally administered salbutamol and theophylline in pre-schoolchildren with asthma. Arch Dis Child. 1980 Mar;55(3):204–206. doi: 10.1136/adc.55.3.204. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Jenne J. W., Wyze M. S., Rood F. S., MacDonald F. M. Pharmacokinetics of theophylline. Application to adjustment of the clinical dose of aminophylline. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 1972 May-Jun;13(3):349–360. doi: 10.1002/cpt1972133349. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Maselli R., Casal G. L., Ellis E. F. Pharmacologic effects of intravenously administered aminophylline in asthmatic children. J Pediatr. 1970 May;76(5):777–782. doi: 10.1016/s0022-3476(70)80305-5. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Mitenko P. A., Ogilvie R. I. Rational intravenous doses of theophylline. N Engl J Med. 1973 Sep 20;289(12):600–603. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197309202891202. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Ogilvie R. I. Clinical pharmacokinetics of theophylline. Clin Pharmacokinet. 1978 Jul-Aug;3(4):267–293. doi: 10.2165/00003088-197803040-00002. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Piafsky K. M., Ogilvie R. I. Dosage of theophylline in bronchial asthma. N Engl J Med. 1975 Jun 5;292(23):1218–1222. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197506052922305. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Rachelefsky G. S., Katz R. M., Siegel S. C. A sustained release theophylline preparation: efficacy in childhood asthma with low serum theophylline levels. Ann Allergy. 1978 Apr;40(4):252–257. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Spangler D. L., Kalof D. D., Bloom F. L., Wittig H. J. Theophylline bioavailability following oral administration of six sustained-release preparations. Ann Allergy. 1978 Jan;40(1):6–11. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Wolfe J. D., Tashkin D. P., Calvarese B., Simmons M. Bronchodilator effects of terbutaline and aminophylline alone and in combination in asthmatic patients. N Engl J Med. 1978 Feb 16;298(7):363–367. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197802162980703. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]