Summary
The correlation between serum and saliva levels of theophylline was investigated in seven healthy volunteers after multiple dose administration of a low dose (300 mg/day) and a high dose (900 mg/day) of a sustained release theophylline preparation (Theo-Dur®). Tablets were taken for five days, at 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. and a last dose was taken on Day 6 at 8 a. m. Fourteen serum and saliva samples were collected simultaneously during the dosing period and for up to 32 h after the last dose. On the 300 mg/day regimen the level in saliva was 55.3% of the serum level, with an overall variability of 6.7% and an intrasubject variability of 10.5%. After 900 mg/day, the saliva concentration was 55.5% of the serum concentration, with an overall variability of 7.6% and an intrasubject variability of 12.7%. A good correlation was found between both determinations (r=0.99), which suggests that saliva levels could be used to monitor theophylline after administration of a sustained release tablet.
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Jonkman, J.H.G., Koëter, G.H., Schoenmaker, R. et al. Correlation of serum and saliva theophylline concentrations after administration of a sustained release preparation. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 20, 73–78 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00554670
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00554670