[Different rates of theophylline clearance. A statistical study of a group of asthmatics]

In standard clinical practice the pharmacokinetic profile of theophylline is monitored by measuring blood levels of the drug. However a more accurate picture of the metabolic pattern over time can be obtained by monitoring theophylline clearance. This technique was applied to 40 lung disease patients most (55%) of them slow metabolisers as described in the literature. In the light of this findings, cautious dosing is advisable when no data are available or clearance (difficult to apply outside a strictly specialist environment).