DIPALMITOYLPHOSPHATIDYLGLYCEROL (DPPG) is a phosphatidylglycerol in which the phosphatidyl acyl groups are both palmitoyl. DPPG is one of the commonly used lipids in liposome studies and biological systems research.

Dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) is the main lipid component of surfactant, it reduces surface tension, preventing collapse of the alveoli. It is used in the treatment of neonatal respiratory distress. It is an important constituent of the number of surfactant, such as Curosurf®, Lucinactant, Exosurf. Porcine-derived lung surfactant Curosurf® (poractant alfa) intratracheal suspension is indicated for the rescue treatment of respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) in premature infants. Each milliliter of suspension contains 80 mg of poractant alfa that includes 76 mg of phospholipids and 1 mg of protein of which 0.45 mg is SP-B and 0.59 mg is SP-C. The amount of phospholipids is calculated from the content of phosphorus and contains 55 mg of phosphatidylcholine of which 30 mg is dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine. Curosurf reduces mortality and pneumothoraces associated with RDS. Lucinactant is a new synthetic peptide-containing surfactant for intratracheal use. It contains sinapultide, phospholipids (dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, DPPC and palmitoyloleoyl phosphatidylglycerol, POPG) and a fatty acid (palmitic acid). Intended for the prevention of RDS in premature infants at high risk for RDS. FDA approved on March 6, 2012. Exosurf, approved by FDA in 1990, is a protein-free surfactant composed of 85% dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine, 9% hexadecanol, and 6% tyloxapol by weight.

Tyloxapol is a nonionic liquid polymer of the alkyl aryl polyether alcohol type that is used as a surfactant to aid liquefaction and removal of mucopurulent (containing mucus and pus) bronchopulmonary secretions. Tyloxapol is also used as a detergent, dispersing agent, encapsulating agent and a hydroxy radical scavenger. Tyloxapol has been used as a mucolytic agent for over 50 years and has proven to be well tolerated during this time. Tyloxapol influences the respiratory system by the following four different action mechanisms: secretolytic action, reduction of surface tension, dissolution of coatings and down-regulation of inflammation. Several studies have shown that small quantities of Tyloxapol applied as an aerosol liquefy sputum. The viscosity of sputum is reduced by 10% to 20% according to rotational viscosimetry measurements. Tyloxapol also penetrates the mucous wall and dissolves viscous and dried secretions, thus enabling increased ciliary activity in the respiratory tract. Although the mechanism of Tyloxapol has been well described, and there is a long-standing basis for its clinical usefulness, there are almost no randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials available that demonstrate the superiority of Tyloxapol vs. saline. Side-effects in the form of hypersensitivity reactions have only occurred very rarely.