Combined administration of controlled release theophylline and ranitidine: a 53‐day controlled survey in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and peptic disease.

Abstract

SummaryThe mean‐term (53 days) effects of controlledrelease theophylline (Theo‐Dur®) alone or combined with ranitidine have been evaluated in two homogeneous groups of 15 patients with chronic obstructive lung disease (COLD) and peptic disease. The severity of the bronchospastic disease evaluated by FEV, and plasma theophylline level in mcg/ml has been monitored at baseline, ie, pre‐treatment, at steady‐state, at Day 18 and at Day 53 of therapy in both groups.By comparing the trends of the two parameters, it was obvious that the bioavailability of Theo‐Dur® and the magnitude of its bronchodilating effect were not influenced by the concomitant use of a potent gastric acid inhibitor, such as ranitidine.Theo‐Dur® is thus confirmed to be a controlled‐release formulation with an absorption independent from gastric pH. As ranitidine increases the lower oesophageal sphincter pressure and does not interfere with the kinetics of theophylline, it is concluded that the combined therapy with the two drugs can be considered a treatment of choice for COLD complicated by peptic disease.