THE EFFECT OF SUSTAINED‐RELEASE THEOPHYLLINE IN NOCTURNAL ASTHMA

SUMMARY Nocturnal symptoms are common and often disabling in asthmatic subjects. Furthermore, they often persist, in spite of appropriate dosages of inhaled β2‐agonists and topical steroids. In such a clinical situation, theophylline preparations may have a therapeutic role. This double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, cross‐over trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a twice‐daily Bioavail slow‐release theophylline capsule in a group of out‐patient asthmatics, with a history of nocturnal and/or early morning wheeze or chest tightness. Theophylline was initially prescribed and monitored in an ‘open’ phase to obtain the drug dosage required to achieve a serum level in the therapeutic range of 10‐20 mg/l. In the ten patients who completed the study, serum theophylline levels were stable throughout.