title: Slow-release oral salbutamol and aminophylline in nocturnal asthma: relation of overnight changes in lung function and plasma drug levels.
abstract: In a double-blind controlled trial 14 chronic asthmatic patients with regular nocturnal exacerbations took 16 mg slow-release oral salbutamol (two Ventolin spandets), 450 mg slow-release aminophylline (two Phyllocontin Continus tablets), or placebo at midnight. Mean peak expiratory flow rates on waking were significantly higher on the active drugs than on placebo (p < 0.01 for salbutamol; p < 0.05 for aminophylline) but neither drug abolished the overnight fall in PEFR. Plasma drug levels at 0600 hr were 17.3 ng/ml (+/- 5.3 ng/ml SD) for salbutamol, and 7.1 micrograms/ml (+/- 3.1 micrograms/ml SD) for theophylline. Steady-state derived from plasma levels of salbutamol during intravenous infusion indicated that the morning salbutamol levels were probably in a therapeutic range for asthma. The morning theophylline levels, however, were suboptimal when aminophylline was given only at night.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000420:Albuterol / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000628:Aminophylline; D013806:Theophylline; D000420:Albuterol