Theophylline as add-on therapy was no use in preventing COPD exacerbations
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Theophylline is derived from methylxanthine, naturally present in tea and cocoa beans. Initially used medically in 1895 as a diuretic, theophylline was one of the first drugs for asthma and COPD/emphysema (beginning in 1922), after its bronchodilation effects were discovered. Theophylline also has cardiac and central nervous system stimulant side effects and can produce tachyarrhythmias and seizures. High theophylline doses are required for effective bronchodilation (plasma concentration of 10–20 mg/L) but these doses also increase the drug's side effect risks. Theophylline thus fell out of wide use after safer, more effective inhaler therapies were introduced for asthma and COPD. For COPD, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends theophylline only be used when inhaled bronchodilators are not an option (unavailable or unaffordable, mainly in the developing world). However, there has remained a cohort of theophylline true-believers -- patients who swear by the drug and refuse to stop taking it, and physicians who still believe its benefits outweigh its risks. When theophylline is used, it's often in the hope of
Theophylline as add-on therapy was no use in preventing COPD exacerbations
Theophylline as add-on therapy was no use in…
Theophylline as add-on therapy was no use in preventing COPD exacerbations
Theophylline is derived from methylxanthine, naturally present in tea and cocoa beans. Initially used medically in 1895 as a diuretic, theophylline was one of the first drugs for asthma and COPD/emphysema (beginning in 1922), after its bronchodilation effects were discovered. Theophylline also has cardiac and central nervous system stimulant side effects and can produce tachyarrhythmias and seizures. High theophylline doses are required for effective bronchodilation (plasma concentration of 10–20 mg/L) but these doses also increase the drug's side effect risks. Theophylline thus fell out of wide use after safer, more effective inhaler therapies were introduced for asthma and COPD. For COPD, the Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) recommends theophylline only be used when inhaled bronchodilators are not an option (unavailable or unaffordable, mainly in the developing world). However, there has remained a cohort of theophylline true-believers -- patients who swear by the drug and refuse to stop taking it, and physicians who still believe its benefits outweigh its risks. When theophylline is used, it's often in the hope of