{"id":264,"date":"2019-11-14T21:05:23","date_gmt":"2019-11-15T02:05:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-14-xanthine-derivatives\/"},"modified":"2023-08-15T13:09:11","modified_gmt":"2023-08-15T17:09:11","slug":"5-14-xanthine-derivatives","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/opentextbc.ca\/nursingpharmacology\/chapter\/5-14-xanthine-derivatives\/","title":{"raw":"5.14 Xanthine Derivatives","rendered":"5.14 Xanthine Derivatives"},"content":{"raw":"

Xanthine Derivatives<\/h1>\r\nTheophylline is a xanthine derivative.\r\n

Mechanism of Action<\/h2>\r\nTheophylline relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by inhibition of the enzyme phosphodiesterase and suppresses airway responsiveness to stimuli that cause bronchoconstriction.\r\n

Indications for Use<\/h2>\r\nTheophylline is used for the long-term management of persistent asthma that is unresponsive to beta agonists or inhaled corticosteroids.\r\n

Adverse\/Side Effects<\/h2>\r\nTheophylline can cause nausea, vomiting, CNS stimulation, nervousness, and insomnia.[footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice <\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote]\r\n

Nursing Considerations Across a Life Span<\/h2>\r\nThe long term use of these drugs with childhood asthma needs to be reassessed. Although for alleviating symptoms in children they are considered a first line preventer, evidence questions the reliability of these drugs.\u00a0 Currently, used as prescribed by a medical professional, they are deemed safe, however as research advances these indications may change. Further research is indicated.\r\n

Client Teaching & Education<\/h2>\r\nClients should be sure to take medications as prescribed and at appropriate intervals.\u00a0 They should avoid irritants and drink fluids to help thin secretions.\u00a0 Clients will need to have their serum blood levels tested every six to twelve months.[footnote]uCentral from Unbound Medicine. https:\/\/www.unboundmedicine.com\/ucentral<\/a>[\/footnote]\r\n

Theophylline Medication Card<\/h1>\r\nNow let's take a closer look at the medication card on theophylline.[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Pharmacology Notes: Nursing Implications for Clinical Practice<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0Gloria Velarde<\/a>\u00a0licensed under\u00a0CC BY-NC-SA 4.0<\/a>.[\/footnote][footnote]Frandsen, G. & Pennington, S. (2018). Abrams\u2019 clinical drug: Rationales for nursing practice\u00a0<\/em>(11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.[\/footnote],[footnote]This work is a derivative of\u00a0Daily Med<\/a>\u00a0by\u00a0U.S. National Library of Medicine<\/a>\u00a0in the public domain<\/a>.[\/footnote] Because information about medication is constantly changing, nurses should always consult evidence-based resources to review current recommendations before administering specific medication.\r\n
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Medication Card 5.14.1: Theophylline<\/h2>\r\n<\/header>\r\n
\r\n\r\nClass:<\/strong> Xanthine Derivatives\r\n\r\nPrototypes: <\/strong>Theophylline\r\n\r\nMechanism: <\/strong>Theophylline relaxes bronchial smooth muscle by inhibition of the enzyme phosphodiesterase and suppresses airway responsiveness to stimuli that cause bronchoconstriction\r\n

Therapeutic Effects<\/h3>\r\n