Bioavailability of a new sustained-release anhydrous theophylline product

The bioavailability of a new sustained-release anhydrous theophylline product (Theophylline Lavipharm) was evaluated and compared with the bioavailability of a well-established product, Theodur. Two groups of 12 healthy non-smokers were given single doses of 200 or 300 mg of each product and two groups of 12 patients with asthma or chronic obstructive lung disease were given doses of 200 or 300 mg of each product every 12 h for 5-day periods. The values of the area under the plasma theophylline concentration against time curve (AUC), the maximum plasma theophylline concentration (Cmax) and the time taken to reach Cmax (Tmax) for the two products did not differ significantly in the healthy groups or in the patients. The minimum and the average plasma theophylline concentrations and the fluctuation index were also calculated for the patients and there were no significant differences between the values for the two products. The new anhydrous theophylline product, Theophylline Lavipharm, appears to show very similar bioavailability to Theodur. No adverse reactions to the new product were reported.