THE EFFECT OF CAFFEINE ON EXERCISE-INDUCED BRONCHOCONSTRICTION

The effect of caffeine on exercise-induced bronchoconstriction was examined in ten patients with bronchial asthma. Placebo and caffeine 3.5 mg/kg and 7 mg/kg were given two hours before exercise. Spirometry was taken at one and two hours following caffeine and at 5, 15, and 30 minutes following exercise. Caffeine significantly improved baseline FEV1 and prevented exercise-induced bronchoconstriction only at a dose of 7 mg/kg. Caffeine was well tolerated by the patients. These data suggest that only high doses of caffeine significantly prevent a postexercise drop in FEV1.