Seizures due to theophylline overdose.

We report two cases of seizure activity due to theophylline overdose with serum levels of theophylline of 26 and 26.3 micrograms/dl. Both patients had evidence of prior neurologic damage. A review of the literature is presented with discussion of the possible mechanism of this reaction at relatively low serum levels of the drug. In the patient with evidence of prior neurologic damage, frequent and careful monitoring of serum theophylline levels should be done. We concluded that drug dosage should be reduced and the possibility of seizure activity at lower serum concentration than would be otherwise anticipated should be kept in mind.