THEOPHYLLINE —IS IT GOOD OR BAD FOR HEALTH

WHAT IS THEOPHYLLINE ? 

Thyeophylline is a bitter compound which exists in crystalline state and present in tea leaves. It belongs to a group of drugs called methylxanthines’ as it is a derivative of xanthine.

1, 3-dimethylxanthine is the chemical name for the compound. It is found in tea leaves. It is used as a traditional beverage as well as used therapeutically to treat several respiratory symptoms such as wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and many others. This methylxanthine drug is used in the treatment of some important respiratory disorders such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema and COPD. COPD is short for chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. Other than that it also has central nervous effects and anti-inflammatory effects as well. The drug is available under a variety of brand names.

Other than leisure and therapeutic uses, theophylline has also seen to cause certain level of addiction in some masses. The use of theophylline in the form of tea is very common in all age groups. The continuous use of this substance leads to development of tolerance and dependence which is extremely difficult to eradicate later onwards. An average person who drinks 2 cups of tea each day will gradually increase the number of cups over a period of time.

DOES THEOPHYLLINE REALLY CAUSE ADDICTION?

It will not be entirely wrong to say that theophylline does cause addiction. This addiction depends on the quantity and quality of the substance taken daily.

THERAPEUTIC FUNCTIONS OF THEOPHYLLINE:

Recent studies have shown that theophylline has many effects that are beneficial for some systems of the body. These therapeutic functions are elaborated below.

• Relaxation of smooth muscle. Theophylline relaxes the bronchial smooth muscle and relieves the respiratory symptoms such as chest tightness and shortness of breath in asthma. It is a popular medicine given to control respiratory symptoms in asthma.
• It also has cardiovascular functions. Theophylline increases the heart rate as well as force of contraction. It has a positive ionotropic and chronotropic effect on heart.
• Hypertension is also one of the effects of theophylline.
• Theophylline results in increased renal blood flow which can affect the kidneys.
• It effects the central nervous system of body and shows stimulatory effect. This stimulation is mainly at the respiratory centre located in the medulla oblongata region of brain stem.
• Recent studies have also established an anti-inflammatory relation with this strange froup of drug.

WHAT ARE THE UNWANTED EFFECTS OF THEOPHYLLINE:

Since theophylline is one of the CNS stimulants, it can be harmful or bad if used at once in large quantity.

Adverse effects of consuming large quantity of tea include abdominal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, constipation as well as diarrhea and abdominal cramps.

Cardiovascular system is also adversely affected. Increased heart rate, state of arrhythmia and other vascular symptoms cannot be ruled out.

Over stimulation of central nervous system is also a great danger sign of consuming too much tea. Symptoms of CNS excitation include insomnia, headache, dizziness, easy irritability and light-headedness)

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