Indications of Dawson et al for Admitting a Patient to the Hospital with Theophylline Intoxication

Dawson and Whyte listed criteria when a patient with an elevated blood theophylline concentration should be admitted to the hospital.

Molecular weight of theophylline: 180.17 g

Patient selection: elevated serum theophylline concentration (therapeutic range 10-20 µg/mL)

Parameters:

(1) serum theophylline concentration

(2) patient factors

Serum Theophylline	Patient Factor	Admit?
> 40 µg/mL	age < 6 months	Yes
> 40 µg/mL	age > 60 years	Yes
> 40 µg/mL	chronic illness	Yes
> 40 µg/mL	chronic poisoning	Yes
> 50 µg/mL	acute poisoning	Yes
NA	signs of moderate or severe theophylline toxicity	Yes

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