Theophylline Blood Levels with Theophylline Ethylene Diamine

Abstract

Theophylline blood levels following administration of theophylline ethylene diamine, intravenously, orally, and rectally, are compared and correlated with effectiveness of broncholytic action and toxicity. For long-term treatment of patients with airway obstructions the maintenance of constant theophylline plateau concentrations in plasma is desirable. This can be achieved by infusion of the drug at a constant rate after an initial loading dose, by treatment with suppositories due to the slow and limited rectal absorption of aminophylline, and by application of a new retard preparation where the sustained release of the drug determines the rate of gastrointestinal absorption of theophylline. In all three cases the dosage can be adjusted easily to the individually different pharmacokinetic properties of the patients.