Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of slow-release theophylline during treatment with nimesulide

The pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions were studied between nimesulide, a recently introduced non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug, and theophylline, another highly protein-bound drug, in patients who were receiving slow-release theophylline for a chronic airflow-obstruction and who also needed anti-inflammatory treatment. A good tolerability was demonstrated of the two drugs association and there was an absence of pharmacodynamic interaction, as shown by lung function parameters, assayed before and after the coinciding nimesulide association. The pharmacokinetics of nimesulide and 4-hydroxy-nimesulide (its active metabolite) were not modified, in agreement with data shown by other authors. On the contrary, there was a slight alteration of theophylline pharmacokinetics, yet neither clinically nor biologically significant, probably due to an enzymatic induction.