Plasma Theophylline Concentrations and Airway Function in Asthmatic Children Receiving Standard and Modified RTC Therapy

Abstract

The effects of three different dosage schedules for sustained-release theophylline (Theolong) were investigated in children with asthma. With regimen II (unequal doses at 0800 h and 2000 h), the maximum plasma theophylline concentration following the evening dose was significantly higher than that following the morning dose, and also was larger than that following the evening dose with regimen I (equal doses at 0800 and 2000 h). With regimen III (equal doses at 0600 h and 2100 h), the mean theophylline concentration-time curve showed a single large peak at 1100 h, whereas with regimen I, there were two peaks at 2300 and at 1400 h. Knowledge that a change of the dosage schedule can affect the pharmacokinetics of theophylline in this way should aid physicians in its safe and effective use.

Theophylline inhibits the differentiation of human monocyte into dendritic cell potentially via adenosine receptor antagonism

“…Recently, it has been demonstrated that low‐dose theophylline improves asthma symptom control more than a leukotriene antagonist, montelukast, and is a safe and less expensive alternative asthma treatment for the patients not using ICS [15]. Although theophylline is currently less preferred than leukotriene antagonist or a long‐acting β 2 ‐agonist, long‐term administration of theophylline [38] (round‐the‐clock therapy; RTC) should be reconsidered for the management of bronchial asthma due to its anti‐inflammatory effects on DC proliferation and survival for an add‐on therapy with ICS.…”