COMPARISON OF A THEOPHYLLINE-EPHEDRINE COMBINATION WITH TERBUTALINE

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  • 1 January 1978
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 41  (1) , 13-17
Abstract
In a single-blind, crossover study 10 adult asthmatic patients received a theophylline-ephedrine combination tablet (theophylline 90 mg, ephedrine 16 mg and phenobarbital 25 mg in an immediate release layer and theophylline 90 mg and ephedrine 32 mg in a sustained release layer) twice daily or terbutaline 5 mg 3 times daily for 2 wk. There was no significant difference in bronchodilator response to a single dose of the study drugs of the inital day of treatment or after 2 wk of continuous therapy. Mean increase in serum cyclic AMP levels produced by both drugs were not significantly different. Mean peak plasma theophylline levels were 2.9 .+-. 1.3 ug/ml following the initial dose and 7.3 .+-. 3.4 ug/ml after 2 wk of continuous dosing with the combination drug. No adverse effects on blood pressure or pulse rate were observed to either drug. The incidence and severity of reported side effects (tremor, nausea and nervousness) were less with the theophylline-ephedrine combination.