O. Elidemir et al., AGE-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN PLASMA THEOPHYLLINE LEVELS, European journal of drug metabolism and pharmacokinetics, 19(1), 1994, pp. 37-39
Because of its special pharmacokinetic properties, plasma levels of th
eophylline show significant differences between individuals and also i
ts therapeutic index is very low. So, plasma theophylline concentratio
n measurements are essential for an effective and safe treatment. In t
he present study, age related differences in plasma theophylline level
s were evaluated in patients from different age groups. Patients were
divided randomly into two groups. Group I included patients under the
age of 50 years, group II included patients over 50 years of age. Plas
ma theophylline levels were measured before and 3, 7, 12 and 19 h afte
r a single dose given orally. The results show that 3, 7 and 19 h post
dose, levels of theophylline were significantly higher in group II th
an in group I (P < 0.001).