aminophylline

dawngloves, BSN, RN · Apr 26, 2008

I don't think I've seen aminophylline used since I took care of adults.

I can tell you when we do levels on other drugs that we do it after the third routine dose, not counting the loading dose.

Sweeper933 · Apr 26, 2008

We also get aminophylline after the 3rd routine dose that we have given. We don't use aminophylline too often - our docs like to give caffeine a chance to work first. Usually by the time our kids are needing something more than caffeine, they're all PO so they get theophylline instead.

mawjood · Apr 26, 2008

in the country were i work never used caffine so only aminophylline

thankssssssssssssss:yeah:

SteveNNP, MSN, NP · Apr 27, 2008

I've only ever used caffeine in neonates. I've used theophylline in a peds pt once.

littleneoRN · Apr 27, 2008

We use aminophylline intially and then transition to caffeine if it appears the need may be longer term, especially if it's likely they may need it on discharge. We never use theophylline--I have no idea why?. I'm not exactly sure if there is a specific number of doses at which we draw the level--I don't think so, but either way it is several days before we draw a level. For sure way more than 5 q8h doses. Then we use that as the baseline and redraw as they grow, have increased apnea, or we are hoping the dose is subtherapeutic.

NicuGal, MSN, RN · Apr 27, 2008

We rarely use aminophylline, only on big chronic kids that need bronchodilators. We use IV caffeine and then switch to oral.

Sweeper933 · Apr 28, 2008

When we do end up switching from caffeine to theo / aminophylline, it's usually because "just" caffeine isn't doing the trick anymore. The bronchodilation effects of the theo can work wonders on these chronics who need all the help they can get when it comes to helping their lungs work as efficiently as possible