- See: Theophylline Preparations: Drug Interactions and Toxicities: Aminophylline; 
- Discussion: 
- for prevention of bronchial Asthma, reversible bronchospasm assoc w/ chronic bronchitis and emphysema; 
- is direct relaxant of smooth muscle of bronchial airway & pulmonary blood vessels (bronchodilator and smooth muscle relaxant); 
- Adult Dose: 
- can only begiven PO; 
- 24mg/kg/24hrs PO divided dose or q6hr SR: q8-12hr; 
- loading dose for acute bronchospasm: 5mg/kg PO 
- maintenance dosage: for chronic Asthma: 
- 400 mg/day PO in divided doses (e.g. Theodur 200mg bid); 
- for smokers = 0.83 mg/kg/hr, healthy adult = 0.53 mg/kg/hr, 
- for elderly patients: 0.26 mg/kg/hr PO; 
- Peds: 10-20 mg/kg/day q 6hr; supplied: liq 80 mg/15 cc tab 30, 60 mg; 
- Monitor Theophylline Plasma Levels: 
- therapeutic is 10-20 ug/ml or 30-100 mmol/l; 
- greater than 20 ug/ml is toxic; and adjust dosage accordingly; 
Theodor: 
- 15-20 mg/kg/day q 12hr - tab 100, 200, 300 mg 

Original Article: A Randomized, Controlled Trial of Theophylline in Patients with Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.