Theophylline
Class – methylxanthine
Mechanism of Action – bronchodilator (exact mechanism unknown)
Pharmaceutics
Dose
- loading dose: 6mg/kg over 30min
- maintenance dose: 1mg/kg (titrate to level
- lag of 15-60min prior to achievement of the therapeutic serum concentration
- low therapeutic index
Indications
- asthma
Adverse Effects
- narrow therapeutic index
- diruesis
- interactions: multiple drugs alter theophylline concentration
PK
- Absorption
- Distribution – fat soluble, Vd 0.5L/kg
- Metabolism – hepatic
- Elimination – renal, t ½ = 3-30 hrs
Evidence
- -> emerging data that may be useful in the critically unwell asthmatic or COPD patient
Critical Care
Compendium
Chris is an Intensivist and ECMO specialist at The Alfred ICU, where he is Deputy Director (Education). He is a Clinical Adjunct Associate Professor at Monash University, the Lead for the Clinician Educator Incubator programme, and a CICM First Part Examiner.
He is an internationally recognised Clinician Educator with a passion for helping clinicians learn and for improving the clinical performance of individuals and collectives. He was one of the founders of the FOAM movement (Free Open-Access Medical education) has been recognised for his contributions to education with awards from ANZICS, ANZAHPE, and ACEM.
His one great achievement is being the father of three amazing children.
On Bluesky, he is @precordialthump.bsky.social and on the site that Elon has screwed up, he is @precordialthump.
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