[Theophylline therapy--foundations and possibilities (author's transl)].

Theophylline is one of the best drugs for the therapy of bronchial asthma. There is no great difference between therapeutic and toxic concentration. Several endogenous and exogenous factors influence the pharmacokinetics. Changes in a short time are possible in situations complicated by further diseases. Estimations of the theophylline concentration in plasma or serum are necessary for optimizing therapy. The frequency is depending on the individual situation.