theophylline (ˌθɪəˈfɪliːn, -ɪn, θɪˈɒfɪlɪn) ![]() | |
| —n | |
| See also xanthine a white crystalline slightly water-soluble alkaloid that is an isomer of theobromine: it occurs in plants, such as tea, and is used to treat asthma. Formula: C7H8N4O2 | |
| [C19: from | |
| a gadget; dingus; thingumbob. |
| a screen or mat covered with a dark material for shielding a camera lens from excess light or glare. |
theophylline the·oph·yl·line (thē-ŏf'ə-lĭn, thē'ō-fĭl'ēn')
n.
A colorless crystalline alkaloid derived from tea leaves or made synthetically, used as a cardiac stimulant and diuretic.
| theophylline (thē-ŏf'ə-lĭn) Pronunciation Key
A colorless, crystalline alkaloid derived from tea leaves or made synthetically. It is used in medicine especially as a bronchial dilator. Theophylline is a xanthine that is similar in structure to caffeine and is a structural isomer of theobromine. Chemical formula: C7H8N4O2. |
theophylline
alkaloidal drug used in medicine as an antiasthmatic, coronary vasodilator, and diuretic. Theophylline is a xanthine alkaloid, a methylxanthine chemically related to caffeine and theobromine. Along with caffeine, it is an active constituent of tea (Camellia sinensis), but it is commercially produced in pharmaceutical manufacture by chemical synthesis.
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