Are you taking Theophylline (Slo-Bid, Theolair, Theo-Dur) ?

Theophylline was first isolated in 1888 and remains the most commonly used medication worldwide for the treatment of asthma. It decreases the need for asthma rescue medications by people who have asthma and is an effective steroid-sparing agent for patients who tolerate it.

References (Level of evidence: 3b - single-expert opinion w/data review)

• Eggleston PA, Malveaux FJ, Butz AM, et al. Medications used by children with asthma living in the inner city. Pediatrics. 1998 Mar;101(3 Pt 1)349-54.
• Hansel TT, Tennant RC, Tan AJ, et al. Theophylline: mechanism of action and use in asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Drugs Today (Barc). 2004 May;40(1)55-69.
• Lenhardt R, Malone A, Grant EN, et al. Trends in emergency department asthma care in metropolitan Chicago: results from the Chicago Asthma Surveillance Initiative. Chest. 2003 Dec;124(5)1774-80.
• Ram FS, Jones PW, Castro AA, et al. Oral theophylline for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003 Feb;(4)CD003902.