A clinical trial of choline theophyllinate versus salbutamol with placebo control.

Using a randomized double-blind procedure, seventeen patients with chronic airways obstruction completed a placebo-controlled study to compare bronchodilator effects of single doses of choline theophyllinate 400 mg and salbutamol 4 mg. As determined by a range of spirometric measurements, the effects of the two drugs were remarkably similar and there were no statistically significant differences in any of the parameters measured. Both drugs produced highly significant differences in comparison with placebo response. Side-effects were mainly complaints of digital tremor; this was seen in four of the patients after salbutamol and in less pronounced form in two patients after choline theophyllinate.