The Pharmacokinetics of Caffeine in Preterm Newborns: No Influence of Doxapram but Important Maturation with Age

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Apnea of prematurity can persist despite caffeine therapy in preterm infants. Doxapram may additionally support breathing. Although multiple small studies have reported the efficacy doxapram, structural co-treatment with impedes to ascribe doxapram itself or a pharmacokinetic (PK) interaction where increases exposure caffeine. We examined whether there is PK drug-drug between and by developing model for including infants without treatment. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> In neonates receiving caffeine, we determined plasma concentrations before, during, directly after used these develop population NONMEM 7.3. Patient characteristics concomitant administration were tested as covariates. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 166 samples collected from 39 (median gestational age 25.6 [range 24.0–28.0] weeks) which 65 taken during (39%, 32/39 infants). Clearance was 9.99 mL/h typical neonate birth weight 0.8 kg 23 days postnatal increased age, resulting 4-fold increase clearance first month life. No identified. <b><i>Discussion:</i></b> Caffeine not affected but shows rapid maturation age. As current guidelines do adjust dose decreased might partly explain need week