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Is Theophylline Use Justified in Acute Exacerbations of Asthma?
Author(s) -
Self Timothy H.,
Ellis Robert F.,
AbouShala Nabil,
Amarshi Naseem
Publication year - 1989
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1002/j.1875-9114.1989.tb04134.x
Subject(s) - theophylline , asthma , medicine , asthma exacerbations , intensive care medicine , bronchodilator agents , bronchodilator
Despite widespread use of theophylline in the hospital management of asthma, supportive data justifying its use are sparse. Clinical research in the 1980s has forced a serious new examination of the drug's role in acute exacerbations of asthma. Because of the morbidity, mortality, questionable value, and overall cost of theophylline therapy, this reevaluation is of particular importance. Enhanced knowledge of the value of treatment with intensive inhaled ß agonists, systemic glucocorticoids, and inhaled ipratropium should prompt elimination of the routine, initial use of theophylline in emergency room care of most asthmatics. Further research is necessary to justify the routine, initial use of the drug in hospitalized asthmatics.