title: A single-blind crossover study of two different slow release theophylline preparations.
abstract: In a single-blind crossover study, two slow release theophylline preparations were evaluated in 18 patients with chronic bronchitis or asthma without cardiac, renal or liver disease. After randomization into two groups, patients were treated, in a crossover study design, with 600 mg choline theophyllinate or 300 mg anhydrous theophylline administered orally every 12 h for 7 days. A 2-day washout period separated the two periods of treatment evaluation. Blood samples in which plasma theophylline concentration was to be measured were taken at 7.30 a.m., 2.00 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. during the last 5 days of therapy with each drug. The mean fluctuation in plasma theophylline concentration was less than or equal to 40% in all 18 patients taking choline theophyllinate yet in only 15 (83%) patients administered anhydrous theophylline. Salbutamol inhaler was more frequently required for the relief of bronchospasm when taking anhydrous theophylline than when taking choline theophyllinate (total of 41 vs 25 puffs, respectively, over 7 days). Drug-related adverse reactions occurred in four patients while taking anhydrous theophylline and in one patient while taking choline theophyllinate.
authors.affiliation: Pulmonary Department, Medical School, University of Athens, Sotiria Hospital, Greece.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tatsis
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Danos
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaga
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pantelakis
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Veslemes
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jordanoglou
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001991:Bronchitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002794:Choline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013806:Theophylline / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; C012839:cholinophyllin; D013806:Theophylline; D002794:Choline