ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: To assay theophylline blood levels in a sample of Sri Lankan chronic asthmatics taking oral theophylline, and to evaluate a simple and cost effective ultraviolet spectrophotometric assay for theophylline levels in blood. SETTING: Chronic asthmatics taking oral theophylline attending medical clinics at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka (NHSL) were recruited for the study. Blood samples were collected from recruited patients on their subsequent clinic visit. DESIGN AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study of theophylline blood levels. Blood samples were assayed for trough theophylline levels using two methods: an automated homogeneous enzyme immunoassay (EMIT), and a low cost ultraviolet spectrophotometric method. RESULTS: Only 2 patients of the 24 had theophylline blood levels in the accepted therapeutic range (10 to 20 micrograms/ml) (3.4); 19 patients had levels under 5 micrograms/ml. A correlation coefficient of 0.99 was obtained in the statistical comparison of the two methods, indicating that the spectrophotometric method has similar accuracy as the reference EMIT assay. CONCLUSIONS: The results signal a need for monitoring of theophylline in asthmatics when accepted clinical indications are present. The ultraviolet spectrophotometric method is ideal to initiate therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in the country because of its low cost (about Rs. 55 per assay), requiring only a UV recording spectrophotometer.
Subject(s)
Adult , Aged , Asthma/blood , Bronchodilator Agents/blood , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Monitoring , Enzyme Multiplied Immunoassay Technique , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet , Theophylline/bloodABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To compare the bioavailability and plasma pharmacokinetics of a generic brand of amoxycillin (State Pharmaceutical Manufacturing Coporation) selected from the lower price range, with that of the innovation brand (Amoxil, Beecham). DESIGN: Sixteen healthy adult volunteers were allotted to two groups and each group was given a test dose of amoxycillin from each brand. Blood samples were collected at 0, 2, 3 and 4 hours thereafter plasma levels were assayed using high performance liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Analysis of results show that the generic product had similar bioavailability and pharmacokinetics when compared with the innovator product. CONCLUSION: The quality assured generic amoxycillin tested had similar bioavailability as a more costly branded version.