theophylline /thē·əfil″ēn/ [L, thea, tea; Gk, phyllon, leaf] , a bronchodilator. ▪ INDICATIONS: It can be prescribed for oral administration to relax the smooth muscle of the bronchial passages in the treatment of bronchospasm in bronchial asthma, bronchitis, and emphysema. Its use has tapered sharply because of the availability of safer and more effective asthma medications that can be administered by inhalation. ▪ CONTRAINDICATIONS: Hypertension, cardiac disease, liver disease, renal disease, or concurrent treatment with other xanthines may prohibit its use. ▪ ADVERSE EFFECTS: Among the most serious adverse effects are hypersensitivity, GI bleeding, palpitations, and seizures.
