title: Intravenous theophylline therapy: nomogram guidelines.
abstract: We evolved a nomogram for guiding and standardizing intravenous theophylline therapy in hospitalized patients. It provides rapid calculation of a loading dose based on body weight and previous therapy and a maintenance infusion rate related to three categories of expected metabolic activity. The guidelines were prospectively used in the treatment of 72 patients, mainly in a respiratory care unit. The nomogram was successfully used to attain near-steady-state serum concentrations in the therapeutic range of 8 to 20 mg/litre in 72% of patients, with only two patients outside of the range of 5 to 25 mg/litre. These guidelines facilitate initial theophylline dosage in older patients with liver and cardiac disease and provide a rational basis for interpreting serum concentration measurements and adjustment of drug therapy.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D005260:Female; D006331:Heart Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009518:New York; D012016:Reference Values; D012124:Respiratory Care Units; D013806:Theophylline / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D013806:Theophylline