Effect of Oral Arninophylline on Pulmonary Function Improvement and Tolerability in Different Age Groups of COPD Patients.

This article presents information on a study which explores the symptoms, pulmonary function improvement, and adverse events related to aminophylline therapy in COPD patients of different age groups. Theophylline is a methylxanthine similar in structure to the common dietary xanthines caffeine and theobromine. Aminophylline is the ethylenediamine salt of theophylline with higher solubility at a neutral pH. Aminophylline has been indicated for the treatment of asthma and COPD for > 50 years, and remains one of the most widely prescribed drugs for the treatment of obstructive airway diseases, as it is inexpensive. Accumulating evidence indicates that IV aminophylline has many side effects, and is of less benefit in acute exacerbations of COPD.