Theophylline Tables:

Pharmacokinetics

Bioavailability Peak plasma level Plasma half-life Active metabolites Elimination
little variability 80-100% 1 to 2 hours* variable** present predominantly extrarenal
*Data for quickly absorbable preparations; slow release preparations reach their maximum about 4-5 hours after administration.
**Great inter-and intra-individual differences. Average values: premature neonates 30 hours, infants younger than 6 months 12 hours, younger than 1 year 5 hours, children between 1 and 17 years 3-4 hours, adults 8 hours (smokers 4-5 hours).

Dose
Indication Administration
Initial loading dose
Dose Interval
Maintenance dose
Dose Interval
nocturnal asthma oral 200-300 mg 24 hours* 200-600 mg 24 hours*
status asthmaticus i.v. 5 mg/kg** - - -
*Administration of a slow-release preparation before retiring to bed. Increase dose slowly!
**A single loading dose for patients who had not received theophylline before. Slow injection! (preferably over 20 to 30 minutes) Aminophylline (6 mg/kg) can be given instead of theophylline.

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