Oral bioavailability of theophylline from hydroalcoholic and alcohol-free preparations.

We investigated the bioavailability of theophylline in eight healthy subjects following the oral administration of theophylline (128 mg) in hydroalcoholic (Brondecon elixir) and alcohol-free (Nuelin syrup preparations. The trial was open, randomised and cross-over. Theophylline was rapidly absorbed from both preparations. Bioavailability was assessed by measuring peak theophylline concentration, time to peak, absorption half-life and area under the curve. We concluded that the bioavailability of theophylline from each orally administered product was similar.