Theophylline Intoxication Research Articles

Acac (Albumin-Collodion Coated Activated Charcoal) Hemoperfusion: In-Vitro Removal and Clearance of Theophylline

This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of ACAC charcoal to remove theophylline. Activated charcoal prepared according to Chang's technique was used in in vitro batch and clearance experiments. Theophylline was removed with a T1/2 of less than 5 minutes in the stirred batch experiments. The clearance studies showed values of 102, 145, and 208 ml/min (extrapolated to 300 g of ACAC charcoal), for extrapolated flow rates of 120, 240, and 360 ml/min. The ACAC charcoal is very efficient in removing theophylline in vitro from an aqueous solution. The efficiency of ACAC hemoperfusion for the treatment of severe, acute theophylline intoxication has also been demonstrated here.

Pharmacokinetics of Severe Theophylline Intoxication Managed by Peritoneal Dialysis

In a patient severely poisoned with theophylline, saturation kinetics were demonstrated at serum concentrations > 35 micrograms/ml with subsequent conversion to first order kinetics (t 1/2 = 5.4 h). Peritoneal dialysis was used to enhance the drug's removal. The mean theophylline clearance was greater for dialysate (5.11 ml/min) than for urine (1.98 ml/min) or gastric fluid (0.32 ml/min). Urinary elimination occurred as a constant first order process (t 1/2 = 4.3 h). Peritoneal dialysis is a valuable early adjunct in the management of severe theophylline intoxication.

Theophylline poisoning in adults.

Theophylline poisoning in adults.

Peritoneal Dialysis of Theophylline

The use of peritoneal dialysis as an adjunct to management of theophylline intoxication is presented. Due to the nature of the case, detailed pharmacokinetic explanation was not possible. The data indicate that appreciable quantities of theophylline can be removed using peritoneal dialysis.

Theophylline poisoning

Three cases of theophylline poisoning in young children, two of which occurred after erroneous administration of commonly prescribed pediatric drugs, are presented. The possible association of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis with severe theophylline toxicity is discussed. Serial serum theophylline levels and half-life determinations for two patients suggest that, although serum half-lives (8.5 hours and 9.0 hours) may be slightly longer than average, drug disappearance followed first order kinetics even at extremely high erum theophylline levels.