The Effects of Inhaled Albuterol and Oral Theophylline on Gastroesophageal Reflux in Patients With Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Obstructive Lung Disease

Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease may have pulmonary symptoms due to repeated aspiration of gastric contents or reflex bronchospasm during a reflux event. Oral bronchodilators are known to worsen gastroesophageal reflux and may lead to a vicious cycle when gastroesophageal reflux causes bronchospasm. The effect of inhaled bronchodilators on gastroesophageal reflux is unknown. We compared the severity of gastroesophageal reflux in patients with documented gastroesophageal reflux disease and obstructive lung disease while they were taking inhaled albuterol or oral theophylline. Nine patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease had 24-hour esophageal pH studies on two separate days approximately 1 week apart. On one study day, the patients received 0.5 mg of albuterol in 2.5 mL of normal saline via hand-held nebulizer, four times a day. On the other day, the patients received sustainedrelease theophylline, 200 mg twice a day, or in a dosage taken previously to achieve a serum theophylline level of 55 to 110 μmol/L. The patients had 40% reduction in the total time the pH was less than 4.0 with albuterol than with theophylline (9.7% vs 16.1%). Seven patients had less gastroesophageal reflux while taking albuterol, and two patients had essentially no change. Patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, who require bronchodilator therapy for obstructive lung disease, have less reflux with inhaled albuterol. ( Arch Intern Med . 1992;152:783-785)