Rapid estimation of total body clearance of theophylline in patients receiving intravenous aminophylline infusion.

The method of Chiou to rapidly estimate theophylline total body clearance using two serum concentration data during the early stage of intravenous aminophylline infusion was evaluated in 16 patients with acute exacerbation of asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The observed serum concentrations at later times were compared with those predicted. The mean prediction error for serum concentrations was 4.93% with a standard deviation of 20.06%. These results indicate that this simple method of Chiou may offer a reliable rapid estimation of total body clearance for dosage individualization in patients receiving intravenous aminophylline infusion.