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Theophylline for Asthma
from eMedTV.comWhile there is no asthma cure, the condition can be controlled. There are many different asthma treatments, including fast-acting "rescue medications" for treating an asthma attack and longer-acting "controller medications" used to prevent attacks.
Because it does not work rapidly for asthma, theophylline (brand names include Uniphyl® and Theocron®, among others) is considered a controller medication. It is used to help prevent asthma attacks, but not to treat them. Everyone who takes theophylline should also have a rescue medication (such as an albuterol inhaler) available for emergencies.
When using theophylline for asthma, it causes the muscles of the airways to relax, which opens up the airways and allows more air to get into and through the lungs. It also helps prevent allergic reactions and inflammation that can lead to asthma attacks.
(For more information on using this medicine for asthma, click Theophylline Uses. This article offers a complete description of this drug, with details on its side effects, warnings, available forms, and dosing guidelines.)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD