Theophylline: is it obsolete for asthma?
Theophylline, despite its potential for causing gastrointestinal tract and central nervous system side effects, is still the major drug used to control symptoms of moderate asthma in children. Selection of patients who will benefit most from this treatment is based on asthma frequency, severity, and triggers; the cost and side effects of theophylline; the likelihood of compliance; and the wishes of both patient and parent. Theophylline's pharmacodynamics, metabolism, and proposed mechanisms of action are discussed, as are the use of specific preparations and possible side effects. Although theophylline can be used in the acute care setting, its major use is in daily continuous prophylaxis against events triggered by either allergic or nonallergic factors. In addition to dosage and titration, aspects of monitoring, compliance, and weaning are discussed.
Rooklin
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Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Crozer-Chester Medical Center, Chester, Pennsylvania 19013.
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D013806:Theophylline