Comparative effects of ciprofloxacin and lomefloxacin on the oxidative metabolism of theophylline.

Abstract

Nine healthy male volunteers were studied to assess the interaction between theophylline and ciprofloxacin and to assess whether a similar interaction occurred with lomefloxacin, using a randomised, crossover design. Subjects received theophylline 125 mg 8 hourly with and without lomefloxacin 400 mg 12 hourly or ciprofloxacin 500 mg 12 hourly for 7 days. Ciprofloxacin treatment lowered total theophylline clearance by 27%, owing to a decreased clearance via 1-, 3-demethylation and 8-hydroxylation. Lomefloxacin treatment did not alter theophylline clearance. Ciprofloxacin, at usual clinical doses, could cause a clinically significant interaction when co-administered with theophylline.