[Practicability, effectiveness and tolerance of a standardized prepared theophylline infusion]

The practicality, efficacy, and tolerance of a standardized, ready-to-use theophylline solution (Eloasthmin, Leopold Pharma, Graz) was studied on 33 patients with bronchial asthma and/or chronic obstructive bronchitis (COPD) (19 males, 14 females) aged 19 to 79 (median 50) years. Eloasthmin a ready-to-use pure theophylline solution containing no auxilliary substances, contains one gram theophyllin per liter in a hypotonic (2/3) NaCl solution. The infusion therapy was carried out in patients in an acute stage of their chronic obstructive ventilation dysfunction. The therapy was carried out for 2 to 4 days at a dose of 400 to 1000 mg theophylline per day, so that theophylline blood levels remained within the therapeutic range of 8 to 20 mg/ml. A highly significant improvement (p < 0.001) of lung function parameters was seen during treatment: VC before therapy = 2.46 l, after therapy = 3.36 l; FEV 1 before therapy = 1.34 l, after therapy = 2.04 l; and PEF before therapy = 3.48 l/s after therapy = 5.13 l/s. Since most patients also received concomittant medication (beta 2-sympathomimetica and/or glucocorticoids), it was difficult to differentiate the specific efficacy of the theophylline.