.png | width = 167 = | image2 = Theophilline.png | CAS_number = 58-55-9 | ATC_prefix = R03 | ATC_suffix = DA04 | ATC_supplemental = | PubChem = 2153 | DrugBank = APRD00082 | chemical_formula = C₇H₈N₄O₂ | molecular_weight = 180.164 g/mol | bioavailability = | protein_bound = 40%, primarily to albumin. | metabolism = Via P450 enzymes | elimination_half-life = 8 hours | pregnancy_category = Australia: A, USA: C | legal_status = P ^*, available without prescription | routes_of_administration = }} Theophylline is a methylxanthine drug used in therapy for respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma under a variety of brand names. As a member of the xanthine family, it bears structural and pharmacological similarity to caffeine. It is naturally found in black tea and green tea.

The main actions of theophylline are:

• relaxing of bronchial smooth muscle
• positive inotropic (increasing heart muscle contractility and efficiency)
• positive chronotropic (increasing heart rate)
• increase of blood pressure
• increase of renal blood flow
• some anti-inflammatory effects

History

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Theophylline was first extracted from tea leaves around 1888 by the German biologist Albrecht Kossel. The drug was chemically identified in 1896 and was eventually it was synthesized by another German scientist, Wilhelm Traube. Theophylline's first clinical use in asthma came in the 1950s.

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