Sustained-release theophylline and nocturnal asthma, once-daily and unequal dosing schedules.
Many asthmatic patients experience aggravation of symptoms overnight resulting in disruption of their sleep. Sustained-release theophylline represents at this time a major bronchodilator medication which possesses a sufficient duration of activity to avert the nocturnal breathing distress of asthma. Circadian rhythm-adapted theophylline schedules consisting of unequal dosing--more or all the drug taken in the evening--have proven efficacious in clinical investigations for certain patients. Although the kinetic behavior of some formulations is affected by food, the circadian rhythm-adapted schedules represent a significant step forward toward the goal of optimizating sustained-release theophyllines for patients who experience nighttime symptoms.
Smolensky
M H
MH
School of Public Health, University of Texas, Houston 77225.
D'Alonzo
G E
GE
Kunkel
G
G
Barnes
P J
PJ
D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005502:Food; D006801:Humans; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000493:pharmacokinetics
D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013806:Theophylline