FATAL REACTIONS TO INTRAVENOUS ADMINISTRATION OF AMINOPHYLLINE

Abstract

Aminophyllline (theophylline ethylenediamine) has received widespread acceptance as a bronchodilator in the treatment of both bronchial and cardiac asthma,¹as a diuretic in cardiac congestive failure²and as a coronary vasodilator in the treatment of coronary occlusion³and angina pectoris.⁴Because of its irritating action on the gastrointestinal tract, its therapeutic effectiveness by mouth, even in enteric-coated capsules, is limited.⁵In bronchial asthma, in fact, it cannot be tolerated by mouth in doses large enough to relieve bronchospasm, whereas, when it is administered intravenously, the effect is usually prompt and satisfactory.¹The intravenous route has therefore come to be the method of choice whenever the urgency of the situation demanded prompt and effective action. Particularly has this been true in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction. There have been only a few reports of toxic effects from aminophylline administered intravenously. A review of the