title: Variations in theophylline concentrations detected by 24-hour saliva concentration profiles in ambulatory children with asthma.
abstract: Sustained-release theophylline (SRT) therapy was monitored in ambulatory children with asthma by measuring theophylline in citric acid-stimulated saliva. Ninety-six around-the-clock saliva theophylline profiles were performed in 59 children (median age, 8.3 years) under routine life conditions. Five to seven stimulated saliva samples were collected by parents at home during a 24-hour period. Highest (Cmax) and lowest (Cmin) saliva theophylline concentrations (Sal-TC) were not consistently found after or before medication, respectively. Cmax occurred during morning hours (before or after medication) in 82% of patients. Cmax was found immediately before morning or evening dose in as many as 25% of patients. Cmin occurred in 70% of children during evening hours. Cmin was found 4 hours after morning or evening dose in 19% of patients. Excessive fluctuation in Sal-TC between pre- and post-SRT doses during both day and night hours occurred in six patients (286% +/- 87% (mean +/- SD)). Marked circadian variation in Sal-TC was disclosed in 23% of children. The first profile performed was therapeutically satisfactory in only 39% of patients; satisfactory profiles were achieved in other children after changing daily SRT dose or dosing interval. Determination of theophylline concentration in stimulated saliva specimens obtained frequently during a 24-hour period and under routine life conditions is practical and extremely valuable for close monitoring and individualization of theophylline therapy in ambulatory children with asthma.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pediatrics, Soroka Medical Center, Beer-Sheva, Israel.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tal
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Aviram
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gorodischer
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002951:Citrates; D019343:Citric Acid; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012463:Saliva / Q000378:metabolism*; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*
chemical_list: D002951:Citrates; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D019343:Citric Acid; D013806:Theophylline