Disposition and clinical pharmacokinetics of microcrystalline theophylline

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Abstract
Variation in the systemic disposition of theophylline after ingestion of a new microcrystalline product (Theolair®) has been investigated in 7 hospitalized patients with generalized obstructive lung disease. Disposition (absolute bioavailability) was determined by comparing in the same patients the areas under the serum concentration-time curves after a single oral dose of microcrystalline theophylline and after an intravenous infusion of aminophylline. Oral absorption appeared to be fast. The half-life of absorption was 19±9 min (mean±SD). Maximal serum concentrations reached after 100±30 min were found to be in a rather narrow range: 9.8±2.5 mg · 1−1. The absolute bioavailability of the microcrystalline preparation was high and it showed only small variation: 102.7±10.2% of the dose. Relevant pharmacokinetic parameters (half-life of elimination, volume of distribution and total body clearance) were determined after both routes of administration. Individual dosage regimens required to obtain a therapeutic serum concentration were calculated for each individual patient on the basis of the observed pharmacokinetic parameters.