Theophylline use in asthma. Some current issues.
This article summarizes the current use of theophylline and lays a simple pharmacokinetic background for understanding its safe use. Dosing practices that will minimize side effects and toxicity are stressed, along with their management if they do occur. Finally, some currently debated issues over optimal theophylline use are addressed.
D000241:Adenosine; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000818:Animals; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001980:Bronchi / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D000242:Cyclic AMP / Q000378:metabolism; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000187:drug effects; D009130:Muscle, Smooth / Q000187:drug effects; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000187:drug effects; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D013318:Stroke Volume / Q000187:drug effects; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D011983:Receptors, Purinergic; D013806:Theophylline; D000242:Cyclic AMP; D000241:Adenosine