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The Effects of Erythromycin on Theophylline Elimination in Normal Males
Author(s) -
MAY DAVID C.,
JARBOE CHARLES H.,
ELLENBURG DONALD T.,
ROE ELSA J.,
KARIBO JOHN
Publication year - 1982
Publication title -
the journal of clinical pharmacology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 116
eISSN - 1552-4604
pISSN - 0091-2700
DOI - 10.1002/j.1552-4604.1982.tb02659.x
Subject(s) - theophylline , erythromycin , chemistry , population , placebo , oral administration , medicine , pharmacology , antibiotics , biochemistry , alternative medicine , environmental health , pathology
The effects of three erythromycin preparations on theophylline elimination kinetics were examined in 23 male subjects. Subjects received 6 mg/kg of theophylline elixir orally and elimination kinetics were determined. The population was then randomized to receive either a lactose placebo, erythromycin base, erythromycin stearate, or erythromycin ethylsuccinate. Each 250‐mg preparation was given four times a day for six days. On day seven, a repeat kinetic study was performed. The mean theophylline half‐life of controls was 7.8 ± 2.6 hours. The half‐life increased significantly in all erythromycin treatment groups. The increase for the base, stearate, and ethylsuccinate groups was 51.7, 21.3, and 60.3 per cent, respectively. The total body theophylline clearance decreased significantly in all treatment groups. This was not associated with biochemical evidence of hepatitis. Three of four smokers who received erythromycin manifested no increase in theophylline half‐life, in contrast to one of 13 nonsmokers. There was no difference in the percentage theophylline bound to serum protein for any of the erythromycin treatment groups or controls as determined by ultracentrifugation.