Effect of theophylline on sleep-disordered breathing in heart failure

Theophylline may be effective in restoring normal breathing patterns in patients with heart failure. These patients often stop breathing periodically during sleep, a condition called apnea. Fifteen men with heart failure and sleep apnea took theophylline twice a day or placebo for five days and then switched treatments. Theophylline reduced the number of apnea episodes and also the percent of time the men experienced low blood oxygen levels.