title: Controlled-release theophylline in the treatment of nocturnal asthma.
abstract: A total of 104 asthmatic patients with symptoms of asthma and/or a 'morning dip' in the peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) who were receiving multiple therapies, including inhaled or oral steroids, were treated in addition once nightly with controlled-release theophylline in an 8-week double-blind, placebo-controlled cross-over study. Theophylline produced an improvement in symptoms of cough, wheeze, sleep disturbance and PEFR in the 73 completing patients compared to run-in and placebo treatment. Theophylline also produced an improvement in the forced expiratory volume in 1 s and forced vital capacity relative to baseline, and in the difference between actual and predicted PEFR values. Nausea was the most frequent side-effect but both patients' and investigator's global impressions of the effect of study medication were in favour of theophylline.
authors.affiliation: Staffordshire General Infirmary, Stafford, UK.
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Fairfax
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Clarke
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Chatterjee
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Connolly
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Higenbottam
authors.forename: S T
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Holgate
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hughes
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: R N
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Johnston
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: MacIntyre
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013256:Steroids; D013806:Theophylline