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Q J Med 2000; 93: 761-765
© 2000 Association of Physicians

Commentary papers

Should aminophylline be abandoned in the treatment of acute asthma in adults?

S.P. Hart

From the Respiratory Medicine Unit, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, UK

Summary

Intravenous aminophylline is widely used for the treatment of acute asthma and anecdotes about its apparent effectiveness abound. Early studies demonstrated that aminophylline is an inefficient bronchodilator compared with adrenergic agonists given by injection or inhalation. This paper presents the results of a review of randomized controlled trials examining the effect of adding aminophylline to standard modern therapy with a nebulized ß2 agonist and systemic corticosteroids in acute asthma in adults. Six of the seven trials, comprising 343 patients, failed to demonstrate any beneficial effect of aminophylline. Furthermore, minor toxicity was common. There is presently no evidence to support the use of aminophylline in addition to standard therapy for acute asthma in adults.

Notes

Address correspondence to Dr S.P. Hart, Respiratory Medicine Unit, Ward 30, Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh. whart{at}globalnet.co.uk


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