[Theophylline in childhood asthma. Pharmacokinetic and clinical study (author's transl)].
After an intra-venous injection of a single dose (4.24 +/- 0.94 mg/kg) of anhydrous theophylline in 20 children aged 4 to 16 years, the pharmacokinetic characteristics (mean and standard deviation) were as follow: half life (T 1/2 6.06 +/- 2.53; apparent distribution volume (Vd) 0.585 +/- 0.148 l/kg and clearance from the body (Cl) at 0.078 +/- 0.35 l/kg/w. The absorption of anhydrous theophylline syrup, given to 13 children during an exacerbation of their asthma, was consistent, quick and complete. Two hours after a dose of 6 mg/kg, the plasma levels were 11.39 +/- 2.04 mg/litre. On seven occasions, the clinical results were good. The absorption of the tablet form of anhydrous theophylline was more irregular. A prolonged course of treatment in 20 subjects aged 4.5 to 17.2 years confirmed the wide variety of doses required to maintain plasma theophylline levels in the 10 to 20 mg/litre range. The doses required varied from 10 to 22.5 mg/kg/day. The correlation between the actual and calculated needs on the basis of theophylline clearance was poor (due to the bioavailability of the drug and the close dependent character of the clearance). Seven times, the results were good (twice mean theophylline levels below 10 mg/litre). The proposition of good results in this study is less than that reported in the literature.
D000293:Adolescent; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007700:Kinetics; D008297:Male; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000627:therapeutic use
D013806:Theophylline
La théophylline chez l'enfant asthmatique. Etude pharmacocinétique et clinique.