Algorithms for Dosage and Therapeutic Monitoring of Theophylline

Abstract

Theophylline is widely prescribed in Spain. Because this drug has a narrow therapeutic range and high interindividual pharmacokinetic variability, it is essential to adapt the dosage to each patient. In order to simplify the drug individualization we are proposing three algorithms to apply to intravenous loading and maintenance doses and to oral doses. The initial recommended dosages have been established using the pharmacokinetic parameters obtained from patients treated with theophylline in our hospital. Because the pharmacokinetic behavior of theophylline may be different in other populations, dosage requirements may not be the same. A minimum number of blood sample collections is proposed in an attempt to improve the cost-benefit relationship in theophylline therapy.

THE DESIGN OF AN ALGORITHM FOR PHARMACISTS TO EVALUATE ADRs IN THE ELDERLY

“…aided decision making is gaining credibility (6), together with a wide selection of flow diagrams to help physicians reach a diagnosis (7-9) or pharmacists to advise on drug dosing (10). In the more specific area of ADR validation, some authors (1 1) have subdivided adverse drug events into a number of distinct types such as drug-allergy, drug-laboratory and drug-diet, as well as the more usual drug-drug and drug-disease entities.…”