Recent advances in our understanding of the use of theophylline in the treatment of asthma.

The use of theophylline for the treatment of asthma for 45 of the past 50 years has been for its ability to dilate bronchi. The problem has been that at the most effective bronchodilating dose, toxicity was too close for comfort. In the past 5 years, there has been resurgence in theophylline use at lower doses because of some well-documented anti-inflammatory and steroid sparing effects.