Methylxanthines in 1989
Authors: Thomas H. Rossing
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1989)

Editorials1 April 1989Methylxanthines in 1989Thomas H. Rossing, MDThomas H. Rossing, MDSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-110-7-502 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptAsthmatics have used the naturally occurring methylxanthines caffeine and theobromine, which are present in coffee and tea, for hundreds of years to obtain relief from paroxysms of airway obstruction (1). Although these two agents are still commonly used by asthmatics to relieve airway obstruction, theophylline is currently the methylxanthine prescribed most often by physicians (2).Despite the long use of methylxanthines, we still do not know their mechanism of action. Until recently they were believed to act by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase, thus resulting in intracellular accumulation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, which promotes relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle. We now...References1. Salter H. On some points in the treatment and clinical history of asthma. Edinburgh Medical Journal. 1859;4:1109-15. MedlineGoogle Scholar2. PaganoNegriDecarliLaVecchia REAC. Coffee drinking and prevalence of bronchial asthma. Chest. 1988;94:386-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. LunellAnderssonPerssonSvedmyr EKCN. Intravenous enprofylline in asthma patients. Eur J Respir Dis. 1984;65:28-34. MedlineGoogle Scholar4. HendelesWeinberger LM. Selection of a slow-release theophylline product. J Allergy Clin Immunol. 1986;78:743-51. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. FantaRossingMcFadden CTE. Treatment of acute asthma. Is combination therapy with sympathomimetics and methylxanthines indicated? Am J Med. 1986;80:5-10. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. SiegelSbeppardGelbWeinberg DDAP. Aminophylline increases the toxicity but not the efficacy of an inhaled beta-adrenergic agonist in the treatment of acute exacerbations of asthma. Am Rev Respir Dis. 1985;132:283-6. MedlineGoogle Scholar7. TashkinAshutoshBleecker DKE. Comparison of the anticholinergic bronchodilator ipratropium bromide with metaproterenol in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A 90-day multicenter study. Am J Med. 1986;81(Suppl 5a):81-90. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. IdellKronenberg SR. Drug therapy for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Semin Respir Med. 1986;8:129-39. CrossrefGoogle Scholar9. RiceLeathermanDunne KJP. Aminophylline for acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. A controlled trial. Ann Intern Med. 1987;107:305-9. LinkGoogle Scholar10. SchulmanMacGlashanPetersSchleimerNewballLichtenstein EDSRHL. Human lung mast cells: purification and characterization. J Immunol. 1982;129:2662-7. MedlineGoogle Scholar11. König P. Inhaled corticosteroids-their present and future role in the management of asthma. J Allergy din Immunol. 1988;82:297-306. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. BarnesGreeningNevilleTimmenPoole PALJG. Singledose slow-release aminophylline at night prevents nocturnal asthma. Lancet. 1982;1:299-301. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByPharmaka mit Wirkung auf den RespirationstraktThe Effects of the Combination of Inhaled Ipratropium and Oral Theophylline in AsthmaPharmaka mit Wirkung auf den RespirationstraktHPLC Assay of Theophylline and Zidovudine in rat SerumTreatment of Acute AsthmaConcepts and Controversies of Bronchodilator OverdoseTheophylline Improves Gas Exchange during Rest, Exercise, and Sleep in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseIncidence and Cost of Hospital Admissions Secondary to Drug Interactions Involving TheophyllineCurrent Therapy of Bronchopulmonary DysplasiaComputer assisted design of a theophylline dosing regimen in acute bronchospasm: Serum concentrations and clinical outcomeManagement of Theophylline Overdose Patients in the Intensive Care UnitAcute bronchodilating effects of ipratropium bromide and theophylline in chronic obstructive pulmonary diseaseAminophylline Therapy for Acute Bronchospastic Disease in the Emergency RoomKeith Wrenn, MD, Corey M. Slovis, MD, Frances Murphy, RN, Raymond S. Greenberg, MD, PhDDie Behandlung von KontrastmittelzwischenfällenAminophylline in the Outpatient Management of Decompensated Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary DiseaseTheophylline poisoning—a review of 64 casesTheophylline toxicity: Clinical features of 116 consecutive casesMethylxanthinesPaul Goldenheim, MDShould We Stop Using Theophylline for the Treatment of the Hospitalized Patient with Status Asthmaticus?Allergistis non Carborundum 1 April 1989Volume 110, Issue 7Page: 502-504KeywordsCaffeineCoffeeCyclic adenosine monophosphateEnzymesMethylxanthineMuscular dystrophiesPhosphodiesterasesSmooth musclesTea Issue Published: 1 April 1989 PDF DownloadLoading ...