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Updated: Oct 28, 2026

Bronchial Thermoplasty: A Novel Therapeutic Approach to Severe Asthma
Published on: November 4, 2010
Asthma therapy: theophylline
1University of Glasgow, Glasgow, United Kingdom. n.c.thomson@clinmed.gla.ac.uk
Abstract:
Theophylline acts as a bronchodilator and has bronchoprotective activity in asthma. The importance of the anti-inflammatory properties of theophylline to its clinical efficacy remains uncertain. Theophylline has a place in management as an additional long term control medication for patients whose asthma is not controlled by an inhaled, short acting beta-agonists and inhaled steroid. For most patients an inhaled, long acting beta-agonist should be tried before oral theophylline. The relative efficacy and side effect profile of oral theophylline versus oral leukotriene modulators as an 'add on' therapy remain to be established.
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