Theophylline

Indications

• COPD

• asthma

• infant apnea

Administration/Absorption

Distribution

Mechanism

• methylxanthine

  • competitive nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor

    • raises intracellular cAMP

    • activates PKA

    • inhibits TNF-alpha

    • inhibits leukotriene synthesis

    • reduces inflammation and innate immunity

  • nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist

  • Effects

    • relaxing bronchial smooth muscle

    • increasing heart muscle contractility and efficiency; as a positive inotropic

    • increasing heart rate: positive chronotropic

    • increasing blood pressure

    • increasing renal blood flow

    • some anti-inflammatory effects

    • central nervous system stimulatory effect mainly on the medullary respiratory center.

Excretion

Side effects