Theophylline poisoning.

Three cases of theophylline poisoning in young children, two of which occurred after erroneous administration of commonly prescribed pediatric drugs, are presented. The possible association of hyperglycemia and ketoacidosis with severe theophylline toxicity is discussed. Serial serum theophylline levels and half-life determinations for two patients suggest that, although serum half-lives (8.5 hours and 9.0 hours) may be slightly longer than average, drug disappearance followed first order kinetics even at extremely high erum theophylline levels.