Intrapatient variability in theophylline kinetics

Seven asthmatic children had repeat determinations of theophylline pharmacokinetic measurements over three- to nine-month intervals. Significant intrapatient variability was found in the theophylline clearance and t1/2, which determine the dosage regimen necessary to provide given average, peak, and trough theophylline plasma levels. Repeat clearance values were, on average, 52% different from the original clearances, with a range of -57% to +142%. A single determination of theophylline kinetic measurements in any individual patient cannot be used routinely to predict future theophylline dosage regimens for that patient.