Drug Name Dosage & Route Action Indication Contraindication Adverse Effects Nursing Responsibility

Bronchospasm CNS: Nervousness,

AMINOPHYLLINE Aminophylline is a salt of To prevent and relieve Hypersensitivity to Assessment & Drug Effects
Adult: IV Loading restlessness, depression,
(theophylline theophylline with effects symptoms of acute xanthine derivatives or to
Dose 6 mg/kg over insomnia, irritability,
ethylenediamide) similar to those of other bronchial asthma and ethylenediamine
(am-in-off'i-lin)
30 min IV
xanthines (e.g., caffeine treatment of component; cardiac
headache, dizziness,  Monitor for S&S of toxicity
Maintenance muscle hyperactivity, (generally related to
and theobromine). Action bronchospasm associated arrhythmias. Safety during
Dose nonsmoker, convulsions. CV: Cardiac theophylline serum levels over
Corophyllin , Paladron , is dependent on with chronic bronchitis and pregnancy (category C) or
0.5 mg/kg/h; arrhythmias, tachycardia 20 mg/mL). Observe patients
theophylline content emphysema. lactation is not established.
Phyllocontin, smoker, 0.75 (with rapid IV), receiving parenteral drug closely
Somophyllin, (approximately 80%) and
mg/kg/h; CHF or hyperventilation, chest for signs of hypotension,
is measured as
Somophyllin-DF, cirrhosis, 0.25 pain, severe hypotension, arrhythmias, and convulsions
Truphylline theophylline in the serum.
mg/kg/h PO cardiac arrest. GI: until serum theophylline
nonsmoker, 0.5 Nausea, vomiting, stabilizes within the therapeutic
Classifications: mg/kg/h times 24 h anorexia, hematemesis, range.
BRONCHODILATOR in 4 divided doses; diarrhea, epigastric pain.  Note: High incidence of
(RESPIRATORY SMOOTH smoker, 0.75
toxicity is associated with rectal
MUSCLE RELAXANT); mg/kg/h times 24 h
suppository use due to erratic
XANTHINE in 4 divided doses;
rate of absorption.
CHF or cirrhosis,
0.25 mg/kg/h times  Monitor & record vital signs
24 h in 4 divided and I&O. A sudden, sharp,
doses unexplained rise in heart rate
Child: IV Loading may indicate toxicity.
Dose 6 mg/kg IV  Lab tests: Monitor serum
over 30 min IV theophylline levels.
Maintenance  Note: Older adults, acutely ill,
Dose 1–9 y, 1 and patients with severe
mg/kg/h; >9 y, 0.75 respiratory problems, liver
mg/kg/h PO 1–9 y, dysfunction, or pulmonary
1 mg/kg/h times 24 edema are at greater risk of
h in 4 divided doses; toxicity due to reduced drug
>9 y, 0.75 mg/kg/h clearance.
times 24 h in 4
 Note: Children appear more
divided doses
susceptible to CNS stimulating
Infant: PO/IV 6–11
effects of xanthines
mo, 0.87 g/kg/h; 2–
(nervousness, restlessness,
6 mo, 0.5 mg/kg/h
insomnia, hyperactive reflexes,
Neonate: PO/IV
twitching, convulsions). Dosage
0.16 mg/kg/h
reduction may be indicated.
Neonatal Apnea
Neonate: PO/IV
Loading Dose 5
mg/kg PO/IV
Maintenance
Dose 5 mg/kg/d
divided q12h