Methylxanthines

What are Methylxanthines?

Methylxanthines are a unique class of drug that are derived from the purine base xanthine. Xanthine is produced naturally by both plants and animals. The methylxanthines, theophylline, and dyphylline are used in the treatment of airways obstruction caused by conditions such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. Caffeine (present in coffee) and theobromine (present in chocolate) are also methylxanthines.

Theophylline is the most well known and most commonly used methylxanthine. At low dosages, it has an immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory and bronchoprotective effect. Higher dosages are needed for its bronchodilator effect; however, higher dosages are often associated with toxicity.

Experts are not sure exactly how methylxanthines work but research has shown they inhibit the enzyme phosphodiesterase, antagonize adenosine receptors, and at lower dosages, their effects on histone deacetylase activity are believed to contribute to their immunomodulatory effects.

The main role of theophylline and dyphylline is to help maintain good airway control in chronic, persistent, airways disease.

List drug with Methylxanthines

Drug Name
Aminophylline (Intravenous)
Generic name: Aminophylline
Aminophylline (Oral)
Generic name: Aminophylline
Aminophylline injection
Generic name: Aminophylline (injection)
Dilor-200
Generic name: Dyphylline
Dilor-400
Generic name: Dyphylline
Dylix
Generic name: Dyphylline
Dyphylline
Generic name: Dyphylline
Elixophyllin
Generic name: Theophylline (oral)
Lufyllin
Generic name: Dyphylline
Lufyllin-400
Generic name: Dyphylline
Norphyl (Aminophylline Oral)
Generic name: Aminophylline
Norphyl (Theophylline Oral)
Generic name: Theophylline
Phyllocontin (Aminophylline Oral)
Generic name: Aminophylline
Phyllocontin (Theophylline Oral)
Generic name: Theophylline
Quibron-T
Generic name: Theophylline
Quibron-T/SR
Generic name: Theophylline
Theo-24
Generic name: Theophylline (oral)
Theo-Dur
Generic name: Theophylline
Theo-Time
Generic name: Theophylline
TheoCap
Generic name: Theophylline
Theochron
Generic name: Theophylline
Theophylline
Generic name: Theophylline (oral)
Theophylline (Intravenous)
Generic name: Theophylline
Theophylline (Oral)
Generic name: Theophylline
Truxophyllin
Generic name: Theophylline
Uniphyl
Generic name: Theophylline

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