Sustained-release theophylline for treatment of asthma in preschool children
F. E. Simons, G. H. Luciuk and K. J. Simons
Theo-Dur, a sustained-release theophylline formulation, was administered
every 12 hours for three months to ten asthmatic children aged 3 to 7
years, with no evidence of adverse reaction or tolerance. There was
significant temporal variation in serum theophylline concentrations. The
mean difference between the peak and trough concentrations was 6.5
micrograms/mL (range, 3 to 14 micrograms/mL) in a 12-hour period. Serum
theophylline concentrations correlated well with pulmonary function test
results. Nine or more hours after a Theo-Dur dose, some children needed
additional bronchodilator treatment and had impairment of pulmonary
function. We recommend that children aged 7 years or younger who are given
Theo-Dur have monitoring of predose serum theophylline concentrations,
symptoms, and signs, as many will require a dose frequency greater than
every 12 hours.
