Question

A man who smokes one pack of cigarettes daily has been diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. He has been prescribed theophylline by his family provider. What effect will the client's smoking status have on the therapeutic use of theophylline?

Answer 1

Answer:

Theophylline concentration may be decreased by smoking .

Explanation:

     Theophylline is a methylxanthine derivative of tea with diuretic, smooth muscle relaxant, bronchial dilation, cardiac and central nervous system stimulating activities.  It is an anti-asthmatic drug. This medicine is indicated for individuals suffering from asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases. The action of theophylline consists in relaxing the muscles of the bronchi and pulmonary blood vessels, thus facilitating the entry of air into the lungs.  Theophylline acts as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, adenosine receptor blocker and activator histone deacetylase.

   Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi, channels that carry inhaled air to the pulmonary alveoli. It sets in when the tiny lashes lining the inside of the bronchi stop eliminating mucus in the airways. This accumulation of secretion causes them to become permanently inflamed and contracted, mainly causing cough.

  Chronic bronchitis increases the risk of other respiratory infections, particularly pneumonia. The disease may set in as an extension of acute bronchitis, but the main cause of the disease is cigarette smoke.

   The most important measure in treating chronic bronchitis is to quit smoking. Smokers need a relatively higher dose of theophylline (active substance) than nonsmoking adults due to increased clearance. In other words, the theophylline concentration may be decreased by smoking .