Renal clearance of theophylline and its major metabolites: age and urine flow dependency in paediatric patients.

The renal clearance of theophylline (TH) and its metabolites 1,3-dimethyluric acid (1,3-DMU), 3-methylxanthine (3-MX), and 1-methyluric acid (1-MU) has been studied in 10 children aged 8 months to 14 years. Individual renal clearances were calculated from serum levels and amounts excreted in urine after i.v. administration of the parent drug. The clearance of 1,3-DMU was found to depend both upon urine flow rate and age, which are interrelated. An effect of urinary pH was expected, but was not studied. Consistent age-dependent changes in the relative quantities of metabolites excreted were not observed.