[Efficacy of theophylline aerosols in obstructive lung diseases (author's transl)]

We investigated aethophylline and aminophylline aerosols using a jet or an ultrasonic nebulizer in 51 patients suffering from NSLD with reversible bronchospasm. FEV1 was controlled in fixed intervals, and the patients were questioned about their subjective statements. A bronchospasmolytic test with isoprenaline spray at the end was performed to demonstrate the actual reversibility of the bronchospasm. Only theophylline aerosols produced by a ultrasonic nebulizer had a subjective and a functional efficacy. Theophylline aerosols of a 2.5% solution were proved to be better than aerosols of a 5% solution, but in comparison with the used sympathicomimetic drug isoprenaline spray, they were less effective. There was a good correlation with the subjective statements of the patients concerning the clinical effects. The concentration of the therapeutic aerosol seemed to be an important factor for the local tolerance and the ventilatory effects, measurable serum levels of theophylline could not be found. Therefore, the topical action of theophylline is considered to be responsible for the clinical effect.