title: Evaluation of serum theophylline concentrations following administration of sustained-release beads in applesauce to asthmatic preschool children.
abstract: A sustained-release theophylline preparation (Theo-Dur Sprinkle) was evaluated in young asthmatic patients aged 1 to 6 years and receiving a daily dose of 23.4 +/- 2.0 mg/kg (mean +/- SD) to determine, on the basis of serial serum concentrations obtained over a 12-hour dosing interval at steady state, the suitability of such a product in patients likely to metabolize the drug very rapidly. Peak theophylline concentrations of 15.1 +/- 4.1 mg/L were achieved 5.5 +/- 1.5 hours after dosing. The mean maximum to minimum concentration difference was 6.9 +/- 2.2 mg/L for the dosing interval studied. Fluctuations in theophylline concentration less than 100% were achieved in nine of the 12 study patients. Use of the "sprinkle-technique" with Theo-Dur Sprinkle appears to be a simple and effective method of maintaining acceptable fluctuations in serum theophylline concentrations in preschool asthmatic children.
mesh_terms: D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005638:Fruit; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013806:Theophylline