PREDISPOSING FACTORS TO APPARENT THEOPHYLLINE-INDUCED SEIZURES

  • 1 January 1985
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 54  (5) , 411-415
Abstract
Fifteen patients who experienced theophylline-related seizures over the past 3 yr are described. Thirteen of the patients were receiving oral maintenance theophylline therapy while 2 patients were on i.v. therapy at the time of their episode. The serum theophylline concentration (STC) obtained 1.8 .+-. 1.5 h after the seizures was 26 .+-. 11 .mu.g/ml, although this level was not obtained until 5.2 .+-. 2 h after the last oral dose. Factors potentially decreasing theophylline metabolism (upper respiratory infection, abnormal liver functions, cimetidine therapy) were noted in 11/15 (73%) of the patients. This varied significantly from a control group of asymptomatic patients (P < 0.01). Ten of 13 patients on oral therapy were receiving solid-dose theophylline prescriptions > 17 mg/kg per day and differed from the control group (19 .+-. 8 vs. 14 .+-. 4, P < 0.01). An abnormal neurologic history, brain scan, or head computed tomography scan was noted in 11/15 (73%); however, there was no acute mortality or neurologic morbidity noted in this series. The clinical features of these patients differed from previously reported cases with respect to a lower STC, higher incidence of underlying CNS problems, higher percentage of patients on oral therapy, and the absence of serious morbidity or mortality.