Theophylline Madness
Authors: WALTER G. WASSER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Brief Reports1 August 1981Theophylline MadnessWALTER G. WASSER, M.D., HAROLD E. BRONHEIM, M.D., BARBARA K. RICHARDSON, M.D.WALTER G. WASSER, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, HAROLD E. BRONHEIM, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, BARBARA K. RICHARDSON, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-95-2-191 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptTheophylline is widely used in the treatment of reversible obstructive pulmonary disease. We report a case in which episodic, bizarre behavior was the principle manifestation of theophylline toxicity.A 58-year-old black woman with severe asthma was hospitalized for evaluation of episodes of bizarre behavior occurring over the 4 days before admission. She had had asthma since childhood. During a hospitalization for an acute asthma attack ending 8 days before this admission, her theophylline dose was increased from 300 mg to 500 mg four times daily and she was placed on prednisone 60 mg that she tapered and stopped 5 days...References1. JACOBSSENIORKESSLER MRG. Clinical experience with theophylline: relationships between dosage, serum concentration, and toxicity. JAMA. 1976;235;1983-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. YARNELLCHU PN. Focal seizures and aminophylline. Neurology. 1975;25:819-22. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar3. ZWILLICHSUTTONNEFFCOHNMATTHAYWEINBERGER CFTWRM. Theophylline-induced seizures in adults: correlation with serum concentrations. Ann Intern Med. 1975;82:784-7. LinkGoogle Scholar4. HELLIWELLBERRY MD. Theophylline poisoning in adults. Brit Med J. 1979;2:1114. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar5. ORCUTTKOZAKGILLMANCUMMINS JPSL. Micro-scale method for theophylline in body fluids by reversed-phased, high pressure liquid chromatography. Clin Chem. 1977;23:599-601. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Department of Medicine The Mount Sinai Medical Center New York, New York PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byDimenhydrinate Use Disorder With Chronic PsychosisAssociation between asthma medications and suicidal ideation in adult asthmaticsTheophylline impairs memory/learning in developing miceSteroid - induced delirium in a patient with asthma / report of one caseCommonly Prescribed and Over-The-Counter Medications: Causes of ConfusionRecent Trends in Asthma ResearchThe Clinical Im p lication of Theophylline Intoxication in the Emergency DepartmentNeuropsychological dysfunction in asthmatic childrenConcepts and Controversies of Bronchodilator OverdoseCurrent Issues in the Use of TheophyllineTheophylline toxicity: Clinical features of 116 consecutive casesRisk of toxicity in patients with elevated theophylline levelsAcute theophylline toxicity and the use of esmolol to reverse cardiovascular instabilityThe assessment and treatment of theophylline poisoningFactors Affecting the School Achievements of Asthmatic Children: A ReviewEvaluation of theophylline overdoses and toxicitiesCognitive and behavioral findings in children taking theophyllineMethylxanthines: Toxicity to humans. 1. TheophyllineUpdate on methylxanthine therapyDrug-Induced Psychiatric Disorders and their ManagementSeizures Due to Theophylline OverdosePsychosis after withdrawal of steroid therapyComparative Pharmacokinetics of Theophylline in Peritoneal Dialysis and HemodialysisCentral nervous system stimulants and anorectic agents 1 August 1981Volume 95, Issue 2Page: 191-191KeywordsAsthmaBehaviorHospitalizationsPulmonary diseasesTheophylline toxicity Issue Published: 1 August 1981 PDF downloadLoading ...