Theophylline-Induced Urinary Retention
Authors: GREGORY R. OWENS
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Brief Reports1 February 1981Theophylline-Induced Urinary RetentionGREGORY R. OWENS, M.D., RENEE TANNENBAUM, Pharm. D.GREGORY R. OWENS, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, RENEE TANNENBAUM, Pharm. D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-94-2-212 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTheophylline is widely used in the therapy of patients with obstructive airways disease. Although numerous complications of therapy have been described (1), we are unaware of any reports of clinically significant effects of theophylline on the urinary tract. This report describes the cases of two patients with theophylline-induced urinary retention and reviews the experimental data supporting this association.A 62-year-old man was hospitalized for cardiac surgery because of progressive angina. Review of systems showed a mildly decreased urinary stream and urinary hesitancy. His physical examination was significant only for a moderately enlarged prostate.After receiving a successful coronary artery bypass...References1. RITCHIE J. Central nervous system stimulants: the xanthines. In: GOODMAN L, GILMAN A, eds. The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 5th ed. New York: Macmillan Co.; 1975:370-3. Google Scholar2. PFEIFERGREENBLATT HD. Clinical toxicity of theophylline in relation to cigarette smoking: a report from the Boston Collaborative Drug Surveillance Program. Chest. 1978;73:455-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. LICHHOWERTONAMIN RLM. Anatomy and surgical approach to the urogenital tract in the male. In: HARRISON J, GITTES R, PERLMUTTER A, STAMEY T, WALSH P, eds. Campbell's Urology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1978:20-2. Google Scholar4. BRADLEYSCOTT WF. Physiology of the urinary bladder. In: HARRISON J, GITTES R, PERLMUTTER A, STAMEY T, WALSH P, eds. Campbell's Urology. 4th ed. Philadelphia: W.B. Saunders Co.; 1978:109-15. Google Scholar5. SOMLYOHAEUSLERSOMLYO AGA. Cyclic adenosine monophosphate: potassium dependent action on vascular smooth muscle membrane potential. Science. 1970;169:490-1. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. WEINGREGORYSANSONESCHOENBERG AJTH. The effects of aminophylline on ureteral and bladder contractility. Invest Urol. 1972;9:290-3. MedlineGoogle Scholar7. LEONIWEINSCHOENBERG JAH. The effects of isoproterenol and aminophylline on detrusor muscle contractility in an organ bath apparatus. Invest Urol. 1973;10:458-63. MedlineGoogle Scholar8. DANGORJOHNS JA. The effects of theophylline on the response of the guinea pig bladder to nerve stimulation, adenosine 5' triphosphate, and histamine. Arch Int Pharmacodyn Ther. 1978;236:125-30. MedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia College of Pharmacy and Science Philadelphia, Pennsylvania PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited ByMedication induced fetal bladder rupture: a case reportDrug-induced illness in the elderlyTheophylline toxicityCentral nervous system stimulants and anorectic agentsTheophylline and Urinary RetentionMANOJ PRAKASH, M.D., J. DENISE WASHBURNE, M.D. 1 February 1981Volume 94, Issue 2Page: 212-213KeywordsAnginaCardiac surgeryCoronary arteriesRiversSystematic reviews Issue Published: 1 February 1981 PDF DownloadLoading ...