The chronopharmacological application of theophylline therapy in asthma

It has been known for centuries that asthmatic patients experience a worsening of symptoms at night and early in the morning, thus disturbing sleep and in some compromising daily performance. Nearly 95% of asthmatic patients experience nocturnal symptoms severe enough to awaken them, at least periodically. A more feared consequence of nocturnal asthma than disruption of sleep in death. Patients who suffer from nocturnal asthma require bronchodilator treatment that is effective overnight. The efficacy of therapy depends upon it formulation and the treatment strategy that is employed. An ideal bronchodilator medication should have optimal effect at a time when enhanced bronchoconstriction is known to occur. Certain sustained-release theophylline (SRT) have been formulated as effective chrono-therapies for nocturnal asthma. The use of certain SRTs have proved highly successful in controlling asthma at night after being administered once-daily in the evening.