title: Bronchodilating effects of salmeterol, theophylline and their combination in patients with moderate to severe asthma.
abstract: Ten patients with moderate to severe asthma (mean FEV1+/-SD: 57.3+/-5.8% of predicted) participated in this 4-day single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, aimed to comparatively evaluate the bronchodilating effects of a single dose of inhaled salmeterol (50 microg) and oral slow-release theophylline (Theo-Dur, 600 mg tablets), used either alone or in combination. In particular, FEV1 was recorded at baseline and 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 h after drug administration; at the same times, with the exception of the 12 th h, theophylline plasma concentrations were also measured. When compared to theophylline, bronchodilation induced by salmeterol was characterized by an earlier onset, a greater magnitude, and a longer duration. Given in combination with salmeterol, theophylline elicited a further slight increase in airway calibre with respect to the bronchodilator action of the beta2-agonist alone, with FEV1 changes which resulted to be statistically significant at the 4th, 6th and 8th h after administration (p<0.05, p<0.03 and p<0.05, respectively). At the 4th h theophylline reached serum levels included within the therapeutic range, which were persistently maintained at least until the the 10th h. Therefore, our findings suggest that inhaled salmeterol and oral slow-release theophylline, the latter acting within the range of therapeutic plasma concentrations, exert additive bronchodilating effects in asthmatic patients with moderate to severe airflow limitation.
authors.affiliation: Section of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University Federico II, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandro
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vatrella
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ponticiello
authors.forename: Girolamo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pelaia
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Parrella
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cazzola
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D000420:Albuterol / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D001993:Bronchodilator Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D036501:Metered Dose Inhalers; D008875:Middle Aged; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D001993:Bronchodilator Agents; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D000068299:Salmeterol Xinafoate; D013806:Theophylline; D000420:Albuterol