Gene/Protein Disease Symptom Drug Enzyme Compound
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Query: UMLS:C0917801 (insomnia)
 10,606 document(s) hit in 31,850,051 MEDLINE articles (0.00 seconds)

This study was conducted to determine whether intravenous theophylline, added to inhaled albuterol and intravenous methylprednisolone, provides a clinically significant benefit in the treatment of pediatric status asthmaticus. Patients aged 2 to 10 years were randomized to receive either intravenous theophylline or placebo. All patients received aerosolized albuterol and intravenous methylprednisolone. There was no difference between groups in the improvement of a clinical asthma score over time, in oxygen requirement, or in the number of albuterol treatments required. Theophylline group patients experienced more nausea, emesis, and insomnia. We conclude that there is no benefit in adding theophylline to treatment with methylprednisolone and albuterol for pediatric status asthmaticus. Furthermore, there are significantly more adverse effects associated with the use of theophylline.
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PMID:Intravenous theophylline in pediatric status asthmaticus. A prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. 758 20

The mechanism of action of theophylline in the treatment of asthma is not yet fully understood. Theophylline appears to be beneficial in some patients with steroid-dependent or nocturnal asthma. It is recommended as an alternative or additional treatment for patients with chronic mild, moderate or severe disease that does not respond to first- or second-line therapy with beta 2 agonists and anti-inflammatory medications such as cromolyn sodium, nedocromil (in children 12 years of age or older) or inhaled corticosteroids. However, theophylline therapy may cause bothersome side effects, including gastrointestinal distress, anxiety, insomnia and headache. These side effects can be minimized by beginning therapy with a low dosage and increasing the dosage slowly, until a therapeutic blood level is reached. Toxicity is more likely if the blood level exceeds 20 micrograms per mL. Prolonged fever puts patients at especially high risk for toxicity. Appropriate patient selection, careful dosing and regular monitoring are crucial elements of safe theophylline therapy.
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PMID:The changing role of theophylline in pediatric asthma. 811 18