Therapeutic Effect of an Alcohol Solution of Theophylline and Potassium Iodide in Asthma
Abstract
The Journal of Asthma Research. Vol. 6, No. 4, June, 1969 Therapeutic Effect of an Alcohol Solution of Theophylline and Potassium Iodide in Asthma MARTIN GREEN,M.D.â Aminophylline (theophylline ethylenediamine) , a therapeutically active bronchodilating agent, varies in its effectiveness according to the route of introduction into the human body. Intravenously, it often alleviates the symptoms of asthma rapidly when adrenalin has been unsuccessful ; rectally, both in suppository and enema form, it is slow, but usually a n effective bronchodilator. Orally, 200 to 300 mgm of aminophylline must be administered three or four times a day for adequate bronchodilation. Unfortunately, gastritis is a frequent side effect a t this dosage. I n contrast, theophylline in alcohol (i.e., orally administered solutions) is rapidly absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract with a minimum of gastric cornp1aints.l The elixir under study contains per 5 cc dose, 75 mgm of theophylline and 150 mg KI in a flavored vehicle and 9.5% alcohol.? Potassium iodide is a respected expectorant and remains the drug of choice for liquefying bronchial excretions. It liquefies bronchial mucus and yet has effect on the bronchial musculature. Thus, the combination of theophylline and potassium iodide is extremely useful in the