theophylline

the·oph·yl·line   (thē-ŏf'ə-lĭn)    n.  A colorless crystalline alkaloid, C7H8N4O2, derived from tea leaves or made synthetically, used in medicine especially as a bronchial dilator. [theo(bromine) + phyll(o)- + -ine2.]

Main Entry: the·oph·yl·line
Pronunciation: thE-'äf-&-l&n
Function: noun
: a feebly basic bitter crystalline compoundC₇H₈N₄O₂ 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 oftenin 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

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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