title: Theophylline kinetics in a geriatric group.
abstract: The influence of age, sex, and smoking on theophylline disposition was studied in 38 healthy subjects ranging in age from 26 to 81 yr. There were 8 young (less than 60 yr) and 30 geriatric (greater than 60 yr) subjects, including 28 men (8 smokers) and 10 women (3 smokers). A crossover experimental design was used. A single dose of theophylline elixir (5 mg/kg lean body weight [LBW]) was given as a reference product to all subjects. One week later a sustained-release (SR) theophylline tablet (8 and 6 mg/kg LBW) was given to the young and the geriatric subjects. Serum theophylline concentrations were determined by HPLC. Theophylline elimination (t1/2 beta) is shorter in the geriatric group (6.93 and 8.14 hr); total body theophylline clearance is greater in the geriatric group (44.39 and 32.97 ml/kg/hr), and the apparent volume of distribution is also greater in the geriatric group (26.29 and 22.97 l). Sex and smoking did not influence any of the parameters studied. In 93% of the geriatric subjects, serum theophylline levels of 8 to 20 micrograms/ml were reached at steady state with the SR tablet. Theophylline dose reduction based on an arbitrary age limit is not, therefore, invariably indicated.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000375:Aging; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012907:Smoking; D013806:Theophylline / Q000378:metabolism*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013806:Theophylline