Definitions

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

  • noun A colorless crystalline alkaloid, C7H8N4O2, derived from tea leaves or made synthetically, used as a bronchodilator primarily to treat asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

from The Century Dictionary.

  • noun A colorless alkaloid, contained in tea-leaves and prepared synthetically from 1-methylxanthin. It crystallizes in thin monoclinic plates or in needles, melts at 264° C, and acts on the muscles. Also called 1,3-dimethylxanthin or 1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxypurin.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun pharmacology Methylxanthine drug used in therapy for respiratory diseases such as COPD or asthma.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a colorless crystalline alkaloid derived from tea leaves or made synthetically; used in medicine as a bronchial dilator

Etymologies

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition

[theo(bromine) + phyll(o)– + –ine.]

Support

Help support Wordnik (and make this page ad-free) by adopting the word theophylline.

Examples

  • This results in theophylline back diffusing across the gut lumen to be absorbed onto the charcoal.

    Theophylline 2010

  • Patients on long-term theophylline therapy may experience adverse reactions from the drug at lower serum concentrations when compared to similar reactions experienced by patients suffering from acute ingestions. 1 Theophylline affects several different organ systems and, therefore, individuals suffering from intoxication of this drug may present with a wide range of symptoms.

    Theophylline 2010

  • Some of the most commonly used bronchodilators taken in liquid or capsule form (example, the caffeine-related compound called theophylline), as an inhaled powder (example, Intal, which contains sodium cromoglicate - known as a mast cell stabilizer), and orally or by injection (example, steroids) must not be used without the approval of a doctor.

    Relief for Asthma Attacks: Free Yourself of Asthma Attacks Safely 2008

  • A chemical relative of caffeine called theophylline is found in tea and is in some respects more potent than caffeine, but tea contains only trace amounts.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • A chemical relative of caffeine called theophylline is found in tea and is in some respects more potent than caffeine, but tea contains only trace amounts.

    On Food and Cooking, The Science and Lore of the Kitchen Harold McGee 2004

  • It also contains a mild stimulant called theophylline that doesn’t sound very natural to me, it sure sounds like it could do a number on my brain.

    Awake Since Wednesday - Jamba Juice Acai Supercharger 2005

  • Nausea, vomiting and hematemesis are quite common and may occur in patients with only mild theophylline toxicity.

    Theophylline 2010

  • These patients include the elderly, patients with liver diseaseor congestive heart failureand those individuals with extremely high serum theophylline levels.

    Theophylline 2010

  • Life-threatening theophylline toxicity is not predictable by serum levels.

    Theophylline 2010

  • Repetitive oral activated charcoal and control of emesis in severe theophylline toxicity.

    Theophylline 2010

Comments

Log in or sign up to get involved in the conversation. It's quick and easy.