Pharmacokinetics of theophylline in obesity

Pharmacokinetic analysis of theophylline was performed in 16 obese women before and after 3-week weight-reducing treatment. Decrease of clearance, increase of t1/2, AUC, and MRT were observed. There were no differences between the volume of distribution before and after weight-reducing treatment. Our results suggest that ideal body weight should be used to calculate a loading dose of theophylline for obese patients; weight-reducing treatment may be connected with changes in biotransformation and elimination of theophylline more than with its distribution.