Combination therapy of theophylline and terbutaline as sustained-release preparations in patients with asthmatic bronchitis.
In a group of ten patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis, the effect of monotherapy with theophylline and terbutaline and the combination of both drugs, as sustained-release tablets, was compared to placebo, in a double-blind cross-over, triple dummy at random study. Lung function parameters, tremor measurements, c-AMP plasma levels, theophylline- and terbutaline-plasma levels were determinated. Monotherapy with theophylline and terbutaline in a relatively low dosage achieved a good lung function improvement without severe side effects, as compared to placebo. The combination of both drugs in the same dosage achieved a statistically significant enhancement of the lung function improvement, as compared to monotherapy, without an increase of side effects. An additional effect of theophylline and terbutaline on bronchodilation is demonstrated.
van der Vet
A P
AP
Department of Pulmonology, University Hospital Maastricht, University of Limburg, The Netherlands.
Kreukniet
J
J
van Drost
R H
RH
Maes
R A
RA
Fokkens
J K
JK
Hamelink
M J
MJ
D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000097:blood; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011897:Random Allocation; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D013726:Terbutaline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014202:Tremor / Q000139:chemically induced
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013806:Theophylline; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D013726:Terbutaline