Pharmacodynamics (lung function tests, tremor measurements and cAMP determinations) of a single dose of 0.5 mg terbutaline subcutaneously during sustained-release theophylline medication in patients with asthmatic bronchitis.

A group of 10 patients with chronic asthmatic bronchitis was titrated with slow-release theophylline (Theolin Retard) to a steady state plasma theophylline level of 10 mg/l. After one week of this treatment a single s.c. dose of 0.5 mg terbutaline (Bricanyl) at 10:30 a.m was administered. Lung function at 8:15 a.m. on this day was better than on the reference day without any medication, but the differences were not statistically significant. At 11:00 p.m., 30 min after s.c. administration of terbutaline all lung function parameters (VC, FEV1, MMEF and sGaw) were significantly raised compared to the values of 8:15 p.m. cAMP levels and tremor were significantly higher after the combined medication (30, as well as 150 min after s.c. administration of terbutaline) than on the reference day. This observation implies that we have to be careful with the administration of terbutaline s.c. to patients on theophylline treatment in the daily practice of the lung function laboratory.