Xanthines

Question 1

Xanthines Drug Names

Answer 1

Caffeine
Theophylline

“-ine”

Question 2

Xanthines Therapeutic Actions

Answer 2

• Direct effect on the smooth muscles of the respiratory tract, both in the bronchi and the blood vessels
• Exact MOA not known
- Narrow margin of safety
- Intact with many drugs
- Numerous adverse effects
- RESERVED FOR WHEN OTHER DRUGS DON’T WORK OR CRITICAL SITUATIONS IN ICU

Question 3

Xanthines Indications

Answer 3

• Symptomatic relief or prevention of bronchial asthma and for reversal of bronchospasm associated with COPD

Question 4

Xanthines Contraindications and Cautions

Answer 4

Contraindication:
• Lactation
• Allergy

Caution:
•	Pregnancy
•	GI problems
•	Heart disease
•	Respiratory dysfunction
•	Renal or hepatic disease
•	Alcoholism
•	Hyperthyroidism

Question 5

Xanthines DDI

Answer 5

DDI:
• Any drug metabolized in the liver has the potential to interact with xathines
• Substances in cigarettes (let provider know when they quit because the does could cause toxicity)

Question 6

Xanthines Adverse Effects

Answer 6

• Related to theophylline levels in the blood
• GI upset
• Irritability
• Tachycardia
• Hyperglycemia
• Seizures
• Brain damage
• death

Question 7

Xanthines:

Assessment

Answer 7

Assess:
Hx: allergy, cigarette use, peptic ulcer, renal or hepatic dysfunction, pregnancy and lactation, cardiac disease, vascular disease, diabetes
Physical: vital signs, electrocardiogram (baseline)
Labs: liver and renal function, theophylline levels

Question 8

Xanthines:

Diagnosis

Answer 8

Dx:

• Acute pain
• Disturbed sensory perception
• Deficient knowledge

Question 9

Xanthines:

Implementation

Answer 9

Implementation:
• Administer with food of milk to relieve GI upset
• Comfort measures for adverse effects
• Provide thorough patient teaching

Question 10

Xanthines:

Evaluation

Answer 10

Eval:
Response to the drug 
Adverse effects 
Effectiveness of comfort measures Compliance with the regimen
Effectiveness of the teaching plan