Intravenous theophylline in pediatric status asthmaticus. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

This study was conducted to determine whether intravenous theophylline, added to inhaled albuterol and intravenous methylprednisolone, provides a clinically significant benefit in the treatment of pediatric status asthmaticus. Patients aged 2 to 10 years were randomized to receive either intravenous theophylline or placebo. All patients received aerosolized albuterol and intravenous methylprednisolone. There was no difference between groups in the improvement of a clinical asthma score over time, in oxygen requirement, or in the number of albuterol treatments required. Theophylline group patients experienced more nausea, emesis, and insomnia. We conclude that there is no benefit in adding theophylline to treatment with methylprednisolone and albuterol for pediatric status asthmaticus. Furthermore, there are significantly more adverse effects associated with the use of theophylline.