Influenza vaccination and theophylline pharmacokinetics in patients with chronic obstructive lung disease

Total Theophylline clearance rate was measured before and 24 hours after standard influenza vaccination in seven men with stable chronic obstructive lung disease. In four, total theophylline clearance rate was also measured 48 hours after vaccine administration. There was no significant change in the clearance rate after either time interval. These results do not support recent recommendations to monitor serum theophylline concentrations or reduce theophylline dosage during the 48-hour period following influenza vaccination. Nevertheless, pending further studies, patients maintained on a regimen of theophylline preparations should be followed clinically for theophylline toxicity for the first several days after receiving influenza vaccine.