ABSTRACT

Theophylline (1,3-dimethylxanthine) is a naturally occur­ ring alkaloid closely related to caffeine. Like caffeine and theobromine, theophylline is structurally classified as a xanthine derivative (1-4). Xanthine is an intermediate in the normal catabolism of purines in humans and has no known pharmacologic activity. The most popular nonalco­ holic stimulant beverages of the world are prepared from plants containing derivatives of xanthine. For example, tea contains theophylline and coffee contains caffeine (5).