title: Plasma levels and therapeutic response: the relevance to community pharmacy.
abstract: An assessment of 26 patients, taking theophylline for COAD or asthma, was undertaken in a Belfast Community pharmacy. Patients had peak flow rate and serum theophylline concentration monitored. Based on these findings patients were counselled and, where appropriate, theophylline dosage was adjusted using a pharmacokinetic computer program. A statistically significant improvement was found between the number of patients who had a serum theophylline concentration in the therapeutic range at the initial assessment and at 3 months and 12 months. This was accompanied by a statistically significant improvement in peak expiratory flow rates.
authors.affiliation: MPSNI, The Pharmacy, Belfast N. Ireland.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Maguire
mesh_terms: D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D006801:Humans; D008448:Maximal Expiratory Flow Rate / Q000187:drug effects; D013806:Theophylline / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline