Specimen Requirements

 LT Green/Mint Top (NAHEP)
Minimum Draw Volume: 2mL

Loading dose: The serum concentration of theophylline should be checked 30 minutes after the completion of an intravenous loading dose in patients with no theophylline use in the last 24 hours to determine if additional loading may be required( if the serum concentration is less than 10 mcg/mL) or to delay initiating the constant IV infusion( if the serum concentration is greater than 20 mcg/mL).
 
Infusion: Serum concentration of theophylline should be measured to one expected half-life (approximately 4 hours in young children [ages 1-9 years], or around 8 hours in otherwise healthy adults, who do not smoke) after administering a continuous infusion, then checked every 12-24 hours to establish if any further adjustments are required, and then at 24 hour intervals for the remainder of the infusion.