Peritoneal clearance of theophylline.

Clearance of theophylline was determined in 3 patients receiving maintenance theophylline during peritoneal dialysis. The average peritoneal dialysis clearance of theophylline was 11.67 ml/min. The average theophylline to creatinine clearance ratio was 0.85 representing significant clearance across the peritoneum. The amount of theophylline removed per exchange was approximately 8 mg. Charcoal or resin hemoperfusion and hemodialysis are undoubtedly the most efficient means of treating theophylline overdose. However, peritoneal dialysis appears to be a useful alternative as overdosed patients would be expected to have significantly higher serum concentrations than encountered in this study, greater gradients across the peritoneal membrane, and greater net removal of theophylline per exchange than reported here.