[The comparative efficacy of the prolonged-action theophylline preparations Theopek and Euphylong in elderly patients with chronic obstructive lung diseases].

A randomized trial of long-acting theophylline drugs theopek taken twice daily and euphilong taken in a single daily dose has been performed in 59 elderly patients suffering from bronchial asthma, chronic obstructive bronchitis. The drugs' doses were adjusted to blood theophylline concentrations, clinical response, side effects. Theophylline concentrations were maintained in therapeutic doses. A 24 hour monitoring showed the highest concentrations of theophylline to be achieved at night and early in the morning in the group of patients on euphilong. A clinical response with improvement of external respiration became evident by the treatment day 5 and persisted by day 90. Side effects were not severe. Both the drugs are recommended for long-term treatment. When euphilong was given in a single evening dose, its efficacy was superior at night and early in the morning making the drug preferable in patients with night asthma.