theophylline

noun

the·​oph·​yl·​line thē-ˈä-fə-lən 

: a feebly basic bitter crystalline compound C₇H₈N₄O₂ present in tea leaves that is isomeric with theobromine and is used in medicine especially as a bronchodilator

Examples of theophylline in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The genetic circuit was programmed to respond to a harmless chemical, called theophylline, commonly found in caffeine, tea and chocolate. —Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2023

The results didn’t mean theophylline, which is still in use, was a bad drug. —Maggie McKee, Discover Magazine, 1 Oct. 2014

With theophylline removed from his regimen, the patient flourished. —Maggie McKee, Discover Magazine, 1 Oct. 2014

Tea also contains two other types of methylxanthines, theophylline and theobromine, which are both considered to be muscle relaxants, Richardson says. —Adele Jackson-Gibson, Good Housekeeping, 1 Nov. 2022

And elderberry isn’t recommended for people taking diabetes medications, diuretics, corticosteroids, laxatives, the asthma drug theophylline, and those undergoing chemotherapy, Rothenberg adds. —Erica Sweeney, Good Housekeeping, 27 Jan. 2021

When it’s broken down in the body, caffeine produces small amounts of the bronchodilator theophylline. —Brad Rickman, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Apr. 2018

The scientists found that amphetamine works with another ingredient, theophylline, a drug that is used for lung diseases such as asthma and bears a chemical resemblance to caffeine. —Bradley J. Fikes, sandiegouniontribune.com, 16 Aug. 2017

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary theo- (from New Latin thea tea) + phyll- + -ine entry 2

First Known Use

circa 1894, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

theophylline

noun

the·​oph·​yl·​line thē-ˈäf-ə-lən 

: 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 especially as a bronchodilator to relieve or prevent symptoms of asthma and bronchospasm associated with chronic bronchitis and emphysema