Hypoxia, Arterial pH and Theophylline Disposition

Theophylline is a bronchodilator used extensively in the management of obstructive pulmonary disease. Factors implicated in altered theophylline clearance include smoking, age, concomitant drug intake, liver disease and left ventricular heart failure. However, evidence now suggests that theophylline clearance may be altered by changes in severity of the pulmonary obstruction, hypoxia and variation in arterial pH.