title: Aminophylline in acute asthma.
abstract: It is widely believed that theophylline is a valuable addition to beta-agonists in the treatment of asthma. This is true when beta-agonists are given in low doses, but available evidence suggests that theophylline adds little or nothing to the effect of maximal doses of beta-agonists. Clinical trials, albeit some with limitations, in acute asthma support the view that theophylline confers no benefit on patients treated with high-dose beta-agonists. As theophylline is a difficult drug to use safely, and its toxicity is serious, its use should be confined to unusual circumstances, and the dose should be small.
mesh_terms: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D013806:Theophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D000628:Aminophylline; D013806:Theophylline