Other Bronchodilators Flashcards
What are all the Methylxanthines and where are they found?
- Caffeine…found in the seeds of coffee plants
- Theophylline (Theo- Dur, Theolair)…found in tea leaves
What are the diseases that Theophylline help manage?
- Asthma
- COPD (Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
- Apnea of prematurity in neonates
How does Theophylline help mange asthma?
- Sustained-release theophylline is indicated as an alternative for maintenance therapy of mild, persistent asthma and higher in patients older than 5 years of age
- Listed as an alternative for patients older than 5 years of age in combination with an ICS (Incolical Steroid)
- Side effects and narrow therapeutic index may make it a poor choice vs other agents
How does theophylline help mange COPD?
- Theophylline: recommended by GOLD as alternative to β2-agonist and anticholinergics
- Not used in acute exacerbations
- Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (or GOLD)
How does Theophylline help manage Apnea of prematurity in neonates?
- Methylxanthines are considered the first-line agents of choice as treatment
- Caffeine citrate a better choice (as it is safer, higher therapeutic index)
- Theophylline was most extensively used in the past,
What are the effects of xanthine’s?
- CNS stimulation
- Skeletal muscle stimulation
- Pulmonary vasodilation
- Smooth muscle relaxation (why it’s considered a bronchodilator)
What are the effects of Methylxanthines on the lungs?
- Decrease airway resistance
(result of bronchodilation) - Decrease pulmonary vascular resistance
(result of pulmonary vasodilation) - Stimulated ventilation (CNS)
What are the therapeutic serum levels of Theophylline?
- 10-20 mcg/mL (adults) (also therapeutic range)
- 5 to 15 mcg/mL (asthma management)
- 5 to 10 mcg/mL (COPD management)
What are the side-effect levels of Theophylline?
< 5 mcg/mL - no effects seen
> 20 mcg/mL - nausea
> 30 mcg/mL - cardiac arrhythmias
40 - 45 mcg/mL - seizures
It is possible for an individual to bypass the nausea phase of toxicity and begin having seizures immediately
Is the therapeutic range of Theophylline effect everyone the same?
- No, there is variability in individual metabolic rates among patients, which makes it difficult to control therapeutic dosages
- Blood levels are important to monitor in patients receiving methylxanthine drugs as toxicity is serious
- In practice, an initial loading dose is given followed by a maintenance dosage adjusted to obtain therapeutic plasma levels
What is aminophylline?
- A double salt of theophylline compounded to give aqueous solubility
- This enables one to give the drug IV
What are the adverse reactions with Theophylline on the CNS?
Headache
Anxiety
Restlessness
Insomnia
Tremor Convulsion
What are the adverse reactions of Theophylline on the gastrointestinal?
Because of the side effects in the gastrointestinal system, xanthines are contraindicated in subjects with active peptic ulcers or acute gastritis
What are the adverse reactions with Theophylline on the Respiratory, Cardiovascular, and Renal?
Respiratory:
- Tachypnea
Renal:
- Diuresis
Cardiovascular:
- Palpitations
- Ventricular arrhythmias
- Hypotension
What are Mucolytics vs Mucoactive?
- Mucolytics, refers to an agent that breaks down or liquifies thick mucus to a watery state
- Mucoactive refers to any agent that has an effect on mucus secretion
(mucolytic, expectorant, mucokinetic, etc.)