Theophyllines

Theophyllines

Theophylline is a xanthine (or methylxanthine) used as a bronchodilator indicated for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Theophylline is an adrenoceptor antagonist, acting primarily on the A2A and A2B adrenoceptors. Antagonism of adenosine action at these receptors results in relaxation of the smooth muscle of bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels.

Concomitant therapy with beta2 agonists in patients with severe asthma should be monitored closely, as this dual therapy can cause potentially serious hypokalaemia.

Theophylline can be prescribed as oral medication for reversible airways obstruction, severe acute asthma, and chronic asthma.

It can also be given by injection as aminophylline, a mixture of theophylline and ethylenediamine (increases the solubility of theophylline by ~20-fold).