title: Theophylline and ethylenediamine pharmacokinetics following administration of aminophylline to septic patients with multiorgan failure.
abstract: The pharmacokinetics of theophylline and ethylenediamine were examined in 6 patients with septicaemia and multiorgan failure (MOF). The patients received a bolus injection of 4 mg/kg aminophylline. Aminophylline is the ethylenediamine salt of theophylline. The clearance of theophylline was reduced in all our patients ranging from 10-66% of the value obtained in healthy volunteers. The median t 1/2 beta was 18.8 h (range 5.8-25.5) compared to a normal value of 6 h. The median clearance of ethylenediamine was 54% of the normal value, while the peripheral volume of distribution was increased to 650%. Due to this t 1/2 beta was 2.3 (2.0-2.7) h, which is 5 times the normal value of 0.55 h. There was no correlation between clearance of theophylline and ethylenediamine. As theophylline has a narrow therapeutic range, routine monitoring with measurements of serum theophylline is mandatory in patients with MOF.
authors.affiliation: Department of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Toft
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Heslet
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hansen
authors.forename: N A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Klitgaard
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000628:Aminophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005029:Ethylenediamines / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008297:Male; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D009102:Multiple Organ Failure / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D018805:Sepsis / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D005029:Ethylenediamines; D000628:Aminophylline; C031234:ethylenediamine; D013806:Theophylline