Abstract

Theophylline and aminophylline (theophylline made soluble by complexing with ethylenediamine) resemble β-adrenergic agonists such as salbutamol and terbutaline in their bronchodilator effect. The latter drugs act by promoting the synthesis of cyclic AMP in target cells; the former delay the inactivation of cyclic AMP by competitive inhibition of phosphodiesterase.