Home Drug Guide Dyphylline

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Dyphylline

Brand Names Neothylline, Dilor, Lufyllin, Dilor-400

Classification

Therapeutic: Bronchodilator

Pharmacological: Methylxanthine derivative

FDA Approved Indications

  • Management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
  • Bronchial asthma associated with bronchospasm

Mechanism of Action

Dyphylline acts as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, leading to accumulation of intracellular cyclic AMP, resulting in relaxation of bronchial smooth muscle and dilation of airways.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 300-600 mg orally every 8-12 hours; dose may vary based on response and tolerability.

Pediatric: Use with caution; dosing based on weight and clinical response.

Geriatric: Start at lower end of dosing range due to potential for increased sensitivity and organ impairment.

Renal Impairment: Adjust dose; particular caution advised due to altered clearance.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; hepatic metabolism may be impaired and necessitate dose adjustments.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed orally.

Distribution: Widely distributed; crosses the placenta.

Metabolism: Metabolized mainly in the liver.

Excretion: Primarily excreted in urine as metabolites.

Half Life: Approx. 4-8 hours, varies with age and organ function.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to dyphylline or other methylxanthines.
  • History of serious arrhythmias.

Precautions

  • Use with caution in heart disease, peptic ulcer, hyperthyroidism, and seizure disorders. Monitor for adverse cardiac and CNS effects.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Nausea, vomiting (Often)
  • Headache, dizziness (Common)
  • Gastrointestinal upset (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Arrhythmias (Rare)
  • Seizures (Rare)
  • Hypersensitivity reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Cimetidine increases dyphylline levels.
  • Caffeine may potentiate side effects.

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor respiratory status, signs of toxicity, and blood levels if available.

Diagnoses:

  • Impaired gas exchange
  • Risk for toxicity.

Implementation: Administer with food if GI upset occurs, monitor for CNS and cardiac side effects.

Evaluation: Assess for improvement in respiratory symptoms and absence of adverse effects.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Report signs of toxicity such as nausea, insomnia, palpitations, or seizures.
  • Avoid caffeine and other methylxanthines to reduce side effects.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None currently; however, caution is advised regarding CNS and cardiac side effects.

Genetic Factors: No specific genetic considerations.

Lab Test Interference: May alter certain lab tests, including serum uric acid and blood glucose levels.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Nausea, vomiting, seizures, tachycardia, hypotension, arrhythmias.

Treatment: Supportive care; activated charcoal if ingestion is recent; temporary control of arrhythmias and seizures as needed.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.

Stability: Stable under recommended conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.