Psychological problems associated with drug therapy in childhood asthma.
Ten studies designed to evaluate the psychological and behavioral effects of the antiasthma agent theophylline in children have been carried out to date. In this review, we evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of those investigations and discuss whether theophylline is responsible for learning disabilities or behavioral disorders such as hyperactivity. We also discuss the similarities between studies of theophylline and those of other xanthines, such as caffeine, to suggest that some persons appear to have a heightened response to these substances and would benefit from closer monitoring, not only of serum drug levels but also of their consumption of food and beverages that contain caffeine. In addition, we describe strategies for examining whether a functional relationship exists between theophylline use and behavioral and psychological changes in children.
Duke Scholars
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- Theophylline
- Pediatrics
- Learning Disabilities
- Humans
- Child
- Central Nervous System
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
- Asthma
- 3213 Paediatrics
- 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Theophylline
- Pediatrics
- Learning Disabilities
- Humans
- Child
- Central Nervous System
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity
- Asthma
- 3213 Paediatrics
- 1114 Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine