Comparative pharmacokinetics of theophylline and aminophylline in man.

1 The pharmacokinetics of theophylline and aminophylline was compared after oral administration and intravenous infusion. 2 Theophylline (250 mg) and aminophylline (390 mg) were taken orally by eight healthy volunteers in a randomized cross-over study. 3 In another cross-over study theophylline and aminophylline were administered intravenously to six healthy volunteers at a dose corresponding to 5 mg/kg pure theophylline. 4 The protein binding of the theophylline in serum collected during the intravenous study was studied by ultrafiltration. The serum concentration of theophylline was measured by high pressure liquid chromatography. 5 Almost identical concentration-time curves were found for theophylline and aminophylline in both of the studies. No significant difference was found in the pharmacokinetic parameters or protein binding with the two preparations.