Theophylline toxic effects from an over-the-counter asthma medication

The potential toxicity of theophylline preparations are well known, yet little attention has been paid to over-the-counter medications containing theophylline. We report the case of a 44-year-old woman who presented with toxic effects of theophylline secondary to the use of an over-the-counter product for asthma. Many physicians may be unaware of the over-the-counter products that contain theophylline and may not be counseling their patients about potential risks associated with these medications.