Aminophylline is a bronchodilator consisting of theophylline that is used for the treatment of bronchospasm due to asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Aminophylline is a drug combination that contains theophylline and ethylenediamine in a 2:1 ratio.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed
Aminophylline is the ethylenediamine salt of theophylline. After ingestion, theophylline is released from aminophylline, and theophylline relaxes the smooth muscle of the bronchial airways and pulmonary blood vessels and reduces airway responsiveness to histamine, methacholine, adenosine, and allergen. Theophylline competitively inhibits type III and type IV phosphodiesterase (PDE), the enzyme responsible for breaking down cyclic AMP in smooth muscle cells, possibly resulting in bronchodilation. Theophylline also binds to the adenosine A2B receptor and blocks adenosine mediated bronchoconstriction. In inflammatory states, theophylline activates histone deacetylase to prevent transcription of inflammatory genes that require the acetylation of histones for transcription to begin.
- Primary indication
- For the treatment of bronchospasm due to asthma, emphysema and chronic bronchitis.Curator reviewed · 6 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C16H24N10O4 · 420.4264 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 2004 · United States, 1975
- Also known as
- Aminophyllin
Resolves to
FQPFAHBPWDRTLU-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESNCCN.CN1C2=C(NC=N2)C(=O)N(C)C1=O.CN1C2=C(NC=N2)C(=O)N(C)C1=OWhat you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Aminophylline, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
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