PharmGKB: The Pharmacogenomics Knowledge Base

Drug/Small Molecule:
theophylline

2D structure

Overview

Generic Names: Dimethylxanthine; Pseudotheophylline; Theophyline; Theophyllin; Theophylline Anhydrous; Theophylline aminoacetate
Trade Names: Accurbron; Acet-Theocin; Aerobin; Aerolate; Aerolate III; Aerolate SR; Afonilm; Afonilum; Aquaphyllin; Armophylline; Asbron; Asmalix; Asmax; Austyn; Bilordyl; Bronchoretard; Bronkodyl; Bronkodyl SR; Cetraphylline; Choledyl SA; Chronophyllin; Constant T; Diffumal; Diphyllin; Doraphyllin; Duraphyl; Duraphyllin; Dyspne-Inhal; Egifilin; Elan; Elixex; Elixicon; Elixomin; Elixophyllin; Elixophyllin SR; Elixophylline; Etheophyl; Euphyllin; Euphylline; Euphylong; Labid; Lanophyllin; Lasma; Liquophylline; Liquorice; Maphylline; Medaphyllin; Nuelin; Optiphyllin; Parkophyllin; Physpan; Pro-Vent; Pulmidur; Pulmo-Timelets; Quibron; Quibron T; Quibron T/SR; Quibron-T; Quibron-T/SR; Respbid; Respicur; Respid; Slo-Bid; Slo-Phyllin; Solosin; Somophyllin CRT; Somophyllin T; Somophyllin-CRT; Somophyllin-DF; Somophyllin-T; Spophyllin Retard; Sustaire; Synophylate; Synophylate-L.A. Cenules; T-Phyl; Talotren; Tefamin; Telb-DS; Telbans Dry Syrup; Teocen 200; Teofilina; Teofyllamin; Teolair; Teonova; Teosona; Tesona; Theacitin; Theal Tablets; Theo 24; Theo-11; Theo-24; Theo-DS; Theo-Dur; Theo-Nite; Theo-Sav; Theobid; Theobid Duracap; Theobid Jr.; Theochron; Theocin; Theoclair-SR; Theoclear; Theoclear 80; Theoclear L.A.-130; Theoclear LA; Theoclear-200; Theoclear-80; Theocontin; Theodel; Theodrip; Theodur Dry Syrup; Theofol; Theograd; Theolair; Theolair-SR; Theolix; Theolixir; Theon; Theona P; Theopek; Theophyl; Theophyl-225; Theophyl-SR; Theophylline-SR; Theoplus; Theospan; Theostat; Theostat 80; Theotard; Theovent; Uni-Dur; Unifyl; Unilong; Uniphyl; Uniphyllin; Xanthium; Xantivent
Brand Mixtures: Bronchyl Syrup (alcohol anhydrous + beechwood creosote + cocillana + eucalyptus + guaiacol oleate + ipecac + lobelia inflata + menthol + myroxylon balsamum + theophylline + white pine); Choledyl Expectorant Elixir (guaifenesin + oxtriphylline); Diuerb tab (oil of fleabane + theophylline + urea); IDM Expectorant tab (guaifenesin + potassium iodide + pyrilamine maleate + theophylline); IDM tab (potassium iodide + pyrilamine maleate + theophylline); PMS-Oxtriphylline Elixir (alcohol anhydrous + oxtriphylline); Pulmo Septol Sirop (beechwood creosote + cocillana + eucalyptus oil + guaiacol + ipecac + lobelia inflata + myroxylon balsamum + theophylline + white pine); Ratio-theo-bronc (guaifenesin + potassium iodide + pyrilamine maleate + theophylline); Tedral tab (l-ephedrine hydrochloride + phenobarbital + theophylline); Theophylline 0.8mg and 5% dextrose inj (dextrose + theophylline); Theophylline 0.8mg/ml in 5% dextrose inj (dextrose + theophylline); Theophylline 1.6mg and 5% dextrose inj (dextrose + theophylline); Theophylline 4mg and 5% dextrose inj (dextrose + theophylline); Theophylline rougier elixir (alcohol anhydrous + theophylline)
PharmGKB Accession Id: PA451647

Description

A methyl xanthine derivative from tea with diuretic, smooth muscle relaxant, bronchial dilation, cardiac and central nervous system stimulant activities. Theophylline inhibits the 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase that degrades cyclic AMP thus potentiates the actions of agents that act through adenylate cyclase and cyclic AMP. PubChem (source: Drug Bank)

Indication

For the treatment of the symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with chronic asthma and other chronic lung diseases, such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis. (source: Drug Bank)

ATC Therapeutic Category

  • R03DA:Xanthines

Pharmacology, Interactions, and Contraindications

Mechanism Of Action

Theophylline relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels and reduces airway responsiveness to histamine, methacholine, adenosine, and allergen. Theophylline competitively inhibits type III and type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme responsible for breaking down cyclic AMP in smooth muscle cells, possibly resulting in bronchodilation. Theophylline also binds to the adenosine A2B receptor and blocks adenosine mediated bronchoconstriction. (source: Drug Bank)

Pharmacology

Theophylline, an xanthine derivative chemically similar to caffeine and theobromine, is used to treat asthma and bronchospasm. Theophylline has two distinct actions in the airways of patients with reversible (asthmatic) obstruction; smooth muscle relaxation (i.e., bronchodilation) and suppression of the response of the airways to stimuli (i.e., non-bronchodilator prophylactic effects). (source: Drug Bank)

Food Interactions

Avoid alcohol.
Avoid excessive quantities of coffee or tea (Caffeine).
Take with food. (source: Drug Bank)

Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Elimination & Toxicity

Biotransformation

Hepatic. Biotransformation takes place through demethylation to 1-methylxanthine and 3-methylxanthine and hydroxylation to 1,3-dimethyluric acid. 1-methylxanthine is further hydroxylated, by xanthine oxidase, to 1-methyluric acid. About 6% of a theophylline dose is N-methylated to caffeine. Caffeine and 3-methylxanthine are the only theophylline metabolites with pharmacologic activity. (source: Drug Bank)

Protein Binding

40%, primarily to albumin. (source: Drug Bank)

Absorption

Theophylline is rapidly and completely absorbed after oral administration in solution or immediate-release solid oral dosage form. (source: Drug Bank)

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include seizures, arrhythmias, and GI effects. (source: Drug Bank)

Isomeric SMILES Code:

Cn1c2c(c(=O)n(c1=O)C)[nH]cn2 (source: Drug Bank)

The following genes are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Gene Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
ADORA1
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • FA
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
ADORA2A
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • FA
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
ADORA2B
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • FA
  •   
Publications
No phenotype data Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Not annotated
CYP1A2
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2C19
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2C9
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP2D6
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications
Phenotype data available Genotype Data Available Literature annotations available Has annotations
CYP3A4
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other genes is available.

Drug Targets

Gene Description
ADORA1 Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
ADORA2A Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
ADORA2B Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
PDE3A Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
PDE4A Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
PDE4B Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)
PDE5A Uncurated Annotation (source: Drug Bank)

The following drugs are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Drug Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
tacrine
  •   
  •   
  • PK
  •   
  •   
Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other drugs is available.

Drug Interactions

Drug Description
aciclovir Uncurated Annotation Aciclovir increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
adenosine Uncurated Annotation The xanthine decreases the effect of adenosine (source: Drug Bank)
amobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
aprobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
atracurium Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
butabarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
butalbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
butethal Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
carbamazepine Uncurated Annotation Carbamazepine increases or decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
carteolol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
cimetidine Uncurated Annotation Cimetidine increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
ciprofloxacin Uncurated Annotation The quinolone increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
clarithromycin Uncurated Annotation Clarithromycin increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
disulfiram Uncurated Annotation Disulfiram increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
doxacurium Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
enoxacin Uncurated Annotation The quinolone increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
erythromycin Uncurated Annotation The macrolide increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
estradiol Uncurated Annotation The contraceptive increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
ethinyl estradiol Uncurated Annotation The contraceptive increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
ethotoin Uncurated Annotation Decreased effect of both products (source: Drug Bank)
fluvoxamine Uncurated Annotation Fluvoxamine increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
fosphenytoin Uncurated Annotation Decreased effect of both products (source: Drug Bank)
gallamine triethiodide Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
grepafloxacin Uncurated Annotation The quinolone increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
halothane Uncurated Annotation Increased risk of cardiac arrhythmia (source: Drug Bank)
heptabarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
hexobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
isoniazid Uncurated Annotation Isoniazid increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
josamycin Uncurated Annotation The macrolide increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
lithium Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases serum levels of lithium (source: Drug Bank)
mephenytoin Uncurated Annotation Decreased effect of both products (source: Drug Bank)
mestranol Uncurated Annotation The contraceptive increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
methohexital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
methylphenobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
metocurine Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
mexiletine Uncurated Annotation Mexiletine increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
mivacurium Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
nadolol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
norfloxacin Uncurated Annotation The quinolone increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
pancuronium Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
pefloxacin Uncurated Annotation The quinolone increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
penbutolol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
pentobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
pentoxifylline Uncurated Annotation Pentoxifylline increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
phenobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
phenytoin Uncurated Annotation Decreased effect of both products (source: Drug Bank)
pindolol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
primidone Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
propafenone Uncurated Annotation Propafenone increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
propranolol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
quinidine Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
rifampin Uncurated Annotation Rifampin decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
ritonavir Uncurated Annotation Ritonavir decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
rofecoxib Uncurated Annotation Rofecoxib increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
secobarbital Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
sotalol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
tacrine Uncurated Annotation Tacrine increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
talbutal Uncurated Annotation The barbiturate decreases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
terbinafine Uncurated Annotation Terbinafine increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
thiabendazole Uncurated Annotation Thiabendazole increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
ticlopidine Uncurated Annotation Ticlopidine increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
timolol Uncurated Annotation Antagonism of action and increased effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
troleandomycin Uncurated Annotation The macrolide increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
tubocurarine Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
vecuronium Uncurated Annotation Theophylline decreases the effect of the muscle relaxant (source: Drug Bank)
verapamil Uncurated Annotation Verapamil increases the effect of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)
zileuton Uncurated Annotation Zileuton increases the effect and toxicity of theophylline (source: Drug Bank)

Curated Information

The following diseases are in curated knowledge about this drug.

  Disease Relationship Evidence
No phenotype data No genotype data Literature annotations available Not annotated
Arthritis, Experimental
  •   
  •   
  •   
  • FA
  •   
Publications

Non-Curated Information

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug along with other diseases is available.

LinkOuts

Web Resource:
Wikipedia
DrugBank:
DB00277
ChEBI ID:
28177
KEGG Compound ID:
C07130
KEGG Drug ID:
D00371
PubChem Compound ID:
2153
PubChem Substance ID:
7847437
IUPHAR Ligand ID:
413

Common Searches

Search PubMed
Search Medline Plus
Search PubChem
Search CTD

Non-Curated Publications

A list of non-curated publications that mention this drug is available.

PharmGKB integrates drug information from different sources: DrugBank, Open Eye Scientific Software.
Add New Alternate Name
Add New ATC Term
Add Cross Reference
Add a metabolite
Add a text annotation
Add a drug target
hint: enter a gene
    Add a drug interaction
    hint: enter a drug
    PharmGKB® is a registered trademark of HHS and is financially supported by NIH/NIGMS. It is managed at Stanford University (GM61374).
    ©2001-2010 PharmGKB.