title: Components of variability in serum theophylline concentrations during maintenance therapy with a sustained release formulation.
abstract: Fifteen adult chronic asthmatic patients were studied on 6 consecutive days of the second week of treatment with a new sustained release theophylline formulation, and 8 were again studied after three months on the same dosing regimen (375 mg b.i.d.). Serum theophylline concentrations were maintained in the therapeutic range (peak - 19.7 +/- 5.0 micrograms/ml; trough - 13.0 +/- 3.2 micrograms/ml) throughout the 12 hour dosing interval, and were greater than 75% of the peak concentration over 8.6 +/- 2.9 h. A degree of drug accumulation was evident in that the 1-h and 5-h levels rose from 12.2 +/- 4.1 and 4.5 +/- 4.8 micrograms/ml during the second week to 16.9 +/- 4.6 and 18.4 +/- 4.5 micrograms/ml, respectively, at three months. Between-patient differences accounted for 61%-71% of the total variation in steady state theophylline concentrations. After accounting for differences due to sampling time and assay error, unexplained random, within-individual variability amounted to 11%-18% of the total. Quantitative estimation of these components of variability may be incorporated into dosage forecasting methods based on single determinations of serum concentration.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D001249:Asthma / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D001986:Bronchial Spasm / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D005260:Female; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010366:Peak Expiratory Flow Rate; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D013806:Theophylline