Sustained Release Theophylline (SRT): An Older Drug for COPD which Still Retains its Edge in the Management of this Chronic Disease

Abstract

Sustained release theophylline (SRT) has been an important component in the Pharmacotherapy of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). Recent years have witnessed a dynamic change in the treatment of this disease. Several new drugs, especially inhaled ones, have largely supplanted the oral drugs used in COPD. SRT has also been relegated to such a position that it is an option which may be used in very severe cases only on the Clinician’s discretion. The axiom that development of new drugs does not belittle the clinical edge of the previous used one is in our opinion applicable to SRT. In this abstract, we attempt to underline the importance of Sustained-Released Theophylline (SRT) in the management of COPD.The endeavour is to systematically emphasize the myriad actions of SRT which provide relief by multiple means to patients in Acute exacerbations of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (AECOPD).