[Bamifylline in the therapy of asthmatic syndromes. Efficacy and side effects vs delayed-action theophylline anhydride]

Two homogeneous groups of 8 patients suffering from bronchial asthma or chronic obstructive bronchial pneumonia were treated with slow release theophylline anhydride or bamiphylline respectively, both products being given orally twice a day. The results showed that both drugs possess a powerful bronchodilatory action and therefore have a beneficial effect on subjective symptoms. Statistical analysis confirmed the absence of any significant difference between the two xanthine derivatives, both of which were well-tolerated though bamiphylline offered a slight advantage in this respect. In fact there were no side effects at all in the bamiphylline group whereas there was one case of moderate gastric intolerance in the group given theophylline anhydride, though it was not severe enough to warrant suspension of the treatment or reduction of the dose.