The effect of theophylline and beta 2 agonists on airway reactivity.
Increased airway responsiveness occurs in asthma, chronic bronchitis, cystic fibrosis, and other diseases. Theophylline and beta 2 agonists commonly are used as maintenance therapy for symptoms associated with the increased responsiveness. Both drugs can reduce airway responsiveness to a variety of provocational stimuli. With currently used dosing regimens, theophylline appears to produce relatively constant levels of effect on airway responsiveness and clinical efficacy around the clock, while inhaled beta 2 agonists appear to have insufficient effects at the end of longer dosing intervals. Improved dosing strategies for beta 2 agonists may improve the efficacy of these agents in the future.
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004341:Drug Evaluation; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D012138:Respiratory Therapy; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D013806:Theophylline; D000420:Albuterol