Efficacy Of Doxophylline As A Sparing Treatment For Inhaled Corticosteroids In Mexican Children With Asthma

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are first-line drugs for the treatment of persistent asthma. The effectiveness of existing ICS is excellent; however, a number of questions remain regarding its possible adverse effects, despite the fact that the use of the inhalation route has allowed the minimization of the systemic exposure to these drugs. Methylxanthines are widely used in the treatment of asthma. It is one of the few medications for asthma that can be administered orally. They are useful especially in patients who cannot adapt to inhaled medications. Methylxanthines are unique in exhibiting dual-function properties by inducing bronchodilation and having anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects. Theophylline is the oldest methylxanthine and non-specifically inhibits phosphodiesterase, it is a little used drug because it has many adverse effects with lower therapeutic index. Doxophylline is a drug of the family of methylxanthines, with a similar efficacy compared to theophylline when applied in the treatment of various respiratory diseases, but with better tolerability profile. Doxophylline has been shown to be a bronchodilator and anti-inflammatory drug with a wider therapeutic window than other methylxanthines. Clinical studies have reported that doxophylline is more effective in improving lung function tests in adults and children, as well as in decreasing clinical symptoms, reducing the incidence of adverse effects and the need of emergency bronchodilators, with a better profile in terms of safety and it has been demonstrated that doxophylline potentially reduces the need for corticosteroids.