Summary
In patients requiring a high or low dose of theophylline the pharmacokinetics of theophylline and enprofylline were studied. The low-dose group took an average daily dose of 8.91 mg/kg body wt. and the high-dose group 24.75 mg/kg body wt. The average half-life of theophylline in the former was 7.11 h and in the latter 4.72 h. The average clearances (CL) of theophylline were 2.83 and 4.58 l/h, respectively. The daily oral intake of theophylline was negatively correlated with the theophylline t1/2 (r=−0.63). While the t1/2 of enprofylline was similar in the two groups, CL and volume of distribution (Vc) were slightly (about 30%) but significantly higher in patients requiring a high dose of theophylline. CL of enprofylline did not correlate with CL of theophylline, nor was the Vc of the two drugs correlated. Interindividual variability in t1/2 and CL was considerably lower for enprofylline than for theophylline.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
References
Laursen LC, Johannesson N, Fagerström P-O, Weeke B (1983) Intravenous administration of enprofylline to asthmatic patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 24: 323–327
Lunell E, Andersson K-E, Persson CGA, Svedmyr N (1984) Intravenous enprofylline in asthma patients. Eur J Respir Dis 65: 28–34
Laursen LC, Johannesson N, Dirksen A, Djurup R, Munch EP, Taudorf E, Weeke B (1983) Enprofylline — effects of a new bronchodilating xanthine derivative in asthmatic patients. Allergy 38: 75–79
Laursen LC, Johannesson N, Weeke B (1984) Continuous treatment of asthmatic patients with enprofylline and theophylline. Eur J Respir Dis 65: 504–508
Borgå O, Andersson K-E, Edholm L-E, Fagerström P-O, Lunell E, Persson CGA (1983) Pharmacokinetics of enprofylline in healthy subjects after intravenous single doses. Clin Pharmacol Ther 34: 799–804
Persson CGA, Karlsson J-A, Erjefält I (1982) Differentiation between bronchodilation and universal adenosine antagonism among xanthine derivatives. Life Sci 30: 2181–2189
Jenne JW, Wyze E, Rood FS, MacDonald FM (1972) Pharmacokinetics of theophylline. Application to adjustment of the clinical dose of aminophylline. Clin Pharmacol Ther 13: 349–360
Benet LZ (1984) Pharmacokinetic parameters: Which are necessary to define a drug substance? Eur J Respir Dis 65 [Suppl 134]: 45–61
Edholm L-E (1980) Specific methods for theophylline assay in biological samples. Eur J Respir Dis 61 [Suppl] 109: 45–53
Benet LZ, Galeazzi RL (1979) Noncompartmental determination of the steady-state volume of distribution. J Pharm Sci 68: 1071–1074
Smith DE, Gambertoglio JG, Vincenti F, Benet LZ (1981) Furosemide kinetics and dynamics after kidney transplant. Clin Pharmacol Ther 30: 105–113
Laursen LC, Johannesson N, Søndergaard I, Weeke B (1984) Maximally effective plasma concentrations of enprofylline and theophylline during constant infusion. Br J Clin Pharmacol 18: 591–595
Laursen LC, Johannesson N, Weeke B (1984) Continuous treatment of asthmatic patients with enprofylline and theophylline. Eur J Respir Dis 65: 504–508
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Laursen, L.C., Johannesson, N. & Weeke, B. Pharmacokinetics of theophylline and enprofylline in patients requiring a high or low dose of theophylline. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 29, 115–117 (1985). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547379
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00547379