Effect of ethanol on theophylline absorption in humans

This study was carried out to determine if ethanol, which enhances theophylline absorption from the rat small intestine, has a similar effect when administered orally to human subjects. Seven normal adults received 200 mg of theophylline/m-2 of body surface area, in 50 ml of either aqueous solution or hydroalcoholic solution containing 20% ethanol. There was no significant difference in the average plasma concentrations of theophylline produced by these two solutions, but three subjects (all female) experienced nausea after taking the aqueous solution while none became nauseous after taking theophylline in the hydroalcoholic solution.