Guide to therapy with theophylline for the treatment of obstructive lung disease.

During the last 10-15 years, therapy with theophylline for the treatment of obstructive lung disease has been rationalized because of increased investigation into drug pharmacokinetics and metabolism and the introduction of new techniques for measuring drug concentration in plasma. Orally administered sustained-release preparations of theophylline have recently been introduced as therapy following the development of new technology. Such preparations allow more effective use of theophylline through increased patient compliance and the maintenance of more stable plasma theophylline concentrations.