From the Research
Use of Doxophylline
- Doxophylline is used as a bronchodilator for relieving airway obstruction in patients with asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) 1, 2, 3, 4.
- It has a better safety profile compared to theophylline, with fewer extra-respiratory effects 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Doxophylline has been shown to increase forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) and reduce asthma attack rate and use of beta-2-agonists 1, 2.
- It has anti-inflammatory activities and can be used as an alternative to theophylline 3, 4.
Efficacy and Safety
- Studies have demonstrated the efficacy and safety of doxophylline in patients with COPD and asthma 1, 2, 5, 3, 4.
- Doxophylline has been shown to have a favorable risk-to-benefit ratio compared to theophylline 2.
- The most common adverse events associated with doxophylline are epigastralgia, nausea, dyspepsia, and headache 1.
Comparison with Theophylline
- Doxophylline has a better safety profile and similar efficacy to theophylline 1, 2, 3, 4.
- Doxophylline does not antagonize calcium channels, nor does it interfere with the influx of calcium into the cells, which reduces the cardiac side effects compared to theophylline 3.
- Doxophylline does not affect sleep rhythm, gastric secretions, heart rate and rhythm, and CNS functioning, unlike theophylline 3.