Theophylline Hypokalaemia at therapeutic doses: *~ case report

A 74-year-old man wi th a history of excessive tobacco smoking and asthma had been taking 1-2 theophylline SUppositories dally (0 7g) for 10 years He was hospitalised for a change In general state vomiting and hypokalaemla Eplgastralgla and constipation were present and there were discrete signs of extracellular dehydration . Hypokalaemia was Intense (1.7 mmol) and plasma bicarbonate and PC02 were reduced . Blood sugar was increased . Rehydration and potassium loading failed to result In any Improvement. Normali sat ion occurred after theophylline withdrawal

Elmay M Achou' A Ben Oh,a N Bergaou, N Mah,oub S Hypokalaem,a ,n a pal'enl Irealed w,'h 'heophy",ne Presse Med,cale 17 1652 24 Sep 1988 [T,anslaled from Ihe orrg,nal publ,shed ,n Frenchl