CLINICAL-STUDIES OF THE RELATIVE POTENCIES AND THE COMBINED EFFECTS OF THEOPHYLLINE AND BETA-ADRENOCEPTOR AGONISTS

Studies inpatients with chronic, partially-reversible airways obstruction were performed to evaluate the relative potencies and the efficacy of combination therapy for oral theophylline and beta-adrenoceptor agonists by inhalation. Comparison of dose-response curves for oral theophylline and salbutamol aerosol (100 μg/inhalation) demonstrated that when serum theophylline levels exceeded 10 μg/ml, the broncho-dilator effect was of a similar order of magnitude to both 1 and 2 inhalations of salbutamol. Oral theophylline (375 mg) and rimiterol aerosol (500 μg) were compared both singly and in combination with placebo in a double-blind study. Significant additive bronchodilatation, compared with either drug singly, was produced when rimiterol was administered at a time when therapeutic plasma theophylline levels were achieved. © 1979 Informa UK Ltd All rights reserved: reproduction in whole or part not permitted.