Theophylline effects on acute chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in emergency medicine

• Main Author: Kostović Biljana
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Serbian Medical Society, Department of Emergency Medicine, Belgrade 2015-01-01
• Series: ABC: časopis urgentne medicine
• Subjects: acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; theophylline effects; emergency medicine
• Online Access: https://scindeks-clanci.ceon.rs/data/pdf/1451-1053/2015/1451-10531501014K.pdf

Recently, Methylxanthines have become third line treatment for patients presenting with acute Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in Emergency Room settings because of the extreme variability in Theophylline plasma concentration. TPH plasma concentration can be affected by several underlying factors not always apparent to clinicians. TPH toxicity cannot be known without measuring the plasma concentration. For these reasons, the use of TPH is less than ideal in ER settings. It is shown that use of aminophylline has not any advantages comparing with beta agonists, anticholinergics and corticosteroids. In conclusion recommendations are given for treatment of acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in ER and statement that aminophylline is not recommended.