Abstract

A REVIEW OF USE THEOPHYLLINE FOR TREATMENT OF ASTHMA

Alok Anuragi*, Anita Shivhare, Pawan Pandey

ABSTRACT

Asthma is a chronic condition, which alters the air pathways (bronchial tubes). The bronchial tubes function by permitting the entry and exit of air into the lungs. This syndrome is characterized by inflammation in airways, causing difficulty in breathing. The symptoms of asthma are generally mild. However, it can quickly become severe to life-threatening if neglected. The most common symptoms of an asthma attack are wheezing, Pressure on the chest/tightness, rapid breathing, Breath problems, Persistent coughing, Difficulty in talking, Blue nails or Sweaty lips, pale face Causes of Asthma Smoking during pregnancy and after delivery greatly increases the risk of asthma for the infant. Asthma can also be hereditary. Below is an asthma diagram showing  normal airway versus the asthmatic airway. Asthma affects an estimated 25,00,000 Indians every year and this number is likely to increase by 50% by the year 2016. Among adults women have a 30% greater prevalence of asthma than men. When theophylline is administered iv, bioavailability is 100%. Theophylline is distributed in the extracellular fluid, in the placenta, in the mother's milk and in the central nervous system. Theophylline is metabolized extensively in the liver (up to 70%). It undergoes N-demethylation via cytochrome P450 1A2. It is metabolized by parallel first order and Michaelis-Menten pathways.

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