Theophylline
Theophylline plays only a small role in the treatment of chronic stable COPD now that safer, more effective drugs are available. Theophylline decreases smooth muscle spasm and enhances mucociliary clearance. Theophylline can be used for patients who have not adequately responded to inhaled agents and who have shown symptomatic benefit from a trial of the drug.
Reference
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Global Initiative for chronic obstructive lung disease: Global strategy for the diagnosis, management, and prevention of COPD.
2010.
www.goldcopd.org