An alkaloid found with caffeine in tea leaves (commercial t. is prepared synthetically); a smooth muscle relaxant, diuretic, cardiac stimulant, and vasodilator; used in bronchial asthma and other forms of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease as a bronchodilator and respiratory muscle stimulant. Also, thought to increase respiratory drive, so sometimes used in hypoventilation syndromes. Shares chemical and pharmacologic properties with caffeine and theobromine.
- t. ethylenediamine SYN: aminophylline.
- t. sodium glycinate equilibrium mixture containing t. sodium and glycine in approximately molecular proportions, buffered with an additional mole of glycine; similar in action and uses to aminophylline but more stable in air, and less irritating to the gastric mucosa.
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the·oph·yl·line thē-'äf-ə-lən n a feebly basic bitter crystalline compound C7H8N4O2 that is present in small amounts in tea but is prepared chiefly by synthesis, that is isomeric with theobromine, and that is used in medicine often in the form of derivatives or in combination with other drugs esp. as a bronchodilator to relieve or prevent symptoms of asthma and bronchospasm associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema
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n.
an alkaloid, occurring in the leaves of the tea plant, that has a diuretic effect and relaxes smooth muscles, especially of the bronchi. Theophylline preparations, particularly aminophylline, are used mainly to control bronchial asthma. Trade names: Nuelin, Slo-Phyllin, Theo-Dur, Uniphyllin Continus.
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the·oph·yl·line (the-ofґə-lin) [USP] a methylxanthine compound occurring in tea leaves and prepared synthetically; theophylline, its salts, and its derivatives act as smooth muscle relaxants, central nervous system and cardiac muscle stimulants, and bronchodilators. Used as a bronchodilator in the prevention and treatment of symptoms of asthma and of reversible airway obstruction associated with chronic bronchitis, emphysema, or other chronic obstructive pulmonary disease; administered orally and intravenously.Medical dictionary. 2011.