Summary
We studied the validity of plasma theophylline measurements in renal failure. Patients with increased serum creatinine receiving theophylline had drug measurements by four methods: high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) fluorescence polarization immunoassay (FPIA), enzyme immunoassay (EIA) and dipstick immunoassay (DI). The mean±SD (µmol/l) for plasma theophylline in the 18 patients with renal impairment was: HPLC 63.4±36.7; EIA 64.4±35.9; FPIA 70±3.43; DI 122±65.9.
A significant correlation (r=0.94, p<0.01) was obtained between serum creatinine and the difference in theophylline concentrations between HPLC and DI. Plasma theophylline results should be interpreted with caution in patients with renal failure.
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Nanji, A.A., Greenway, D.C. Falsely raised plasma theophylline concentrations in renal failure. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 34, 309–310 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540962
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00540962