Theophylline intoxication: clinical features and pharmacokinetics during treatment with charcoal hemoperfusion

We describe a 50-year-old depressive patient with severe theophylline toxicity that occurred as a result of attempted suicide. Her theophylline levels peaked at 148 mg/l. She was promptly treated with charcoal hemoperfusion, and responded well. We describe the pharmacokinetics of theophylline removal via hemoperfusion, and review the literature.