Intravenous enprofylline in asthma patients.

Enprofylline is a novel xanthine derivative with negligible adenosine antagonizing ability. It is eliminated almost exclusively by renal clearance with a half-life of about 2 h. Enprofylline was given i.v. to 8 patients with partially reversible chronic airway obstruction in a double blind cross-over trials with placebo. Three infusions of drug (1 mg/kg in 10 min) were given at hourly intervals. Spirometry (FEV1x0 and FVC) and drug analyses showed that enprofylline produced significant and concentration-dependent bronchodilation between plasma levels of 1 and 4 mg/L. The maximum effect obtained was similar to that produced by 5 doses of terbutaline aerosol. Heart rate was significantly increased by enprofylline. No change in tremor of hand and no subjective side effects were recorded. It is concluded that enprofylline given i.v. is well tolerated and produces marked and dose-dependent bronchodilation.

RCT Entities:   Population Interventions Outcomes