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Theophylline — NCLEX Cheat Sheet

Narrow range: 10-20 mcg/mL

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👤 By the CinnaRN Clinical Content Team 🕐 Updated 2026-07-11 🏷️ Pharmacological Therapies 🔖 Free to read, print, and share

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Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent Theophylline on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!

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Uses

Key facts

COPD, chronic asthma (rare now)
Methylxanthine → bronchodilation

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Labs

Key numbers

Therapeutic 10-20 mcg/mL
> 20 → toxic, monitor levels

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Report

Notify / act now

N/V, HA, insomnia = early toxicity
Tachycardia, seizures, arrhythmia

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Avoid

Key facts

Caffeine → ↑ toxicity & jitters
Smoking ↓ levels; many drug interax

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Quick Tip

Narrow therapeutic serum level is 10-20 mcg/mL; toxicity rises sharply above this.

📖 Related Topics

Digoxin Toxicity Heparin Therapy Warfarin Therapy Acetaminophen Poisoning in Children

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