Combination of methylxanthine compounds and steroids to treat chronic respiratory diseases
There is provided the use of a methylxanthine derivative such as theophylline and a steroid in a synergistic combination for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, wherein the combination is administered by the inhaled route for pulmonary delivery.
1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising an amount of theophylline and a corticosteroid effective for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), wherein (i) the pharmaceutical composition is adapted for administration by the inhaled route for pulmonary delivery, and (ii) the amount of theophylline is between 0.033 mg and 25 mg.
2. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is budesonide and is provided in an amount from 200 mcg to 1600 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to once per day treatment.
3. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is fluticasone and is provided in an amount from 44 mcg and 1000 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to once per day treatment.
4. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is ciclesonide and is provided in an amount from 40 mcg and 500 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to once per day treatment.
5. A kit comprising an amount of theophylline and a corticosteroid effective for the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in unit dosage form adapted for administration by the inhaled route for pulmonary delivery wherein the theophylline is present in an amount between 0.033 mg and 25 mg.
6. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is budesonide and is provided in an amount from 200 mcg to 1600 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to once per day treatment.
7. A kit according to claim 5 , said kit being in the form of an inhaler.
8. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is fluticasone and is provided in an amount from 44 mcg and 1000 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to once per day treatment.
9. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is ciclesonide and is provided in an amount from 40 mcg and 500 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to once per day treatment.
10. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is budesonide and is provided in an amount from 100 mcg to 800 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to twice per day treatment.
11. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is budesonide and is provided in an amount from 65 mcg to 525 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to three times per day treatment.
12. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is fluticasone and is provided in an amount from 22 mcg to 500 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to twice per day treatment.
13. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is fluticasone and is provided in an amount from 11 mcg to 335 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to three times per day treatment.
14. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is ciclesonide and is provided in an amount from 20 mcg to 250 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to twice per day treatment.
15. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the corticosteroid is ciclesonide and is provided in an amount from 14 mcg to 170 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to three times per day treatment.
16. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is budesonide and is provided in an amount from 100 mcg to 800 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to twice per day treatment.
17. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is budesonide and is provided in an amount from 65 mcg to 525 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to three times per day treatment.
18. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is fluticasone and is provided in an amount from 22 mcg to 500 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to twice per day treatment.
19. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is fluticasone and is provided in an amount from 11 mcg to 335 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to three times per day treatment.
20. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is ciclesonide and is provided in an amount from 20 mcg to 250 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to twice per day treatment.
21. A kit according to claim 5 wherein the corticosteroid is ciclesonide and is provided in an amount from 14 mcg to 170 mcg per unit dose of the composition, said unit dose corresponding to three times per day treatment.
22. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the amount of theophylline is between 0.05 mg and 12.5 mg.
23. A composition according to claim 1 wherein the amount of theophylline is between 0.033 mg and 8 mg.