7-(β-Hydroxyethyl)theophylline is a methylxanthine phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor.1 It reduces histamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and bradykinin-induced bronchoconstriction in an anesthetized guinea pig model of bronchial asthma.2 Formulations containing 7-(β-hydroxyethyl)theophylline in combination with theophylline have been used in the treatment of asthma.
1.Mizon, J., Skandrani, E., and Mizon, C.Determination of the inhibitory activity of some new substituted theophyllines on the specific phosphodiesterase of cyclic nucleotidesTherapie26(5)911-917(1971) 2.Ufkes, J.G., Leeuwin, R.S., Ottenhof, M., et al.Efficacy of theophylline and its N-7-substituted derivatives in experimentally induced bronchial asthma in the guinea-pigArch. Int. Pharmacodyn. Ther.253(2)301-314(1981)