[Sympathomimetics and theophylline: combined use?].

Bronchodilator effect and toxicity of theophylline 300 mg twice a day (E1), Salbutamol 4 mg tid (E2), their combination in higher (200/4 mg, E3), and lower doses (100/2 mg E4), and placebo calcium lactate (300 mg) tid (E5) were compared in 30 patients with bronchial asthma in a randomized cross over trial. Statistically significant second (FEV1) was observed in all the active treatment groups (E1, to E4) compared with placebo (E5). Almost all the regimens were tolerated well and no patient showed major adverse reaction or cardiotoxicity necessitating withdrawal of the drug. On the other hand, minor adverse reactions were common and the high dose combination (E3) was found to have more adverse reactions than the low dose combination and either drug used alone.