Comparison of addition of theophylline to inhaled steroid with doubling of the dose of inhaled steroid in asthma

The anti-asthmatic effects of theophylline may supplement those of inhaled steroids in asthma. The aim of the present trial was to study holy the addition of theophylline compares to doubling the dose of inhaled steroid in asthmatics who remain symptomatic on beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 400 mu g.day(-1). The trial was designed as a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group study in several European countries, Sixty nine patients were treated for 6 weeks with theophylline plus BDP 400 mu g.day(-1), compared to 64 patients treated with BDP 800 mu g.day(-1). The mean+/-SD serum theophylline concentration was 10.1+/-4.2 mg.L-1. Lung function measurements were made throughout the study and patients kept daily records of peak expiratory flow (PEF), symptoms and salbutamol usage, Forced expiratory volume in one second and PEF at meek 6 mere significantly increased by both treatments (p<0.01). PEF variability was reduced by about 30% in both groups, There were significant improvements in asthma symptoms and rescue medication use (p<0.001), There mere no significant differences between the treatment groups. The study demonstrated clinical equivalence of theophylline plus beclomethasone dipropionate 400 mu g.day(-1) and beclomethasone dipropionate 800 mu g.day(-1) in patients whose asthma is not controlled on beclomethasone dipropionate 400 mu g.day(-1). The results support the use of theophylline as a steroid-sparing agent, The combination of low-dose inhaled steroid plus theophylline is a suitable treatment for moderate asthma.