Theophylline

Theophylline	Last updated: 17/08/2023
(Also known as: armophylline; elixophylline; pseudotheophylline)

Data alerts

The following alerts are based on the data in the tables below. An absence of an alert does not imply the substance has no implications for human health, biodiversity or the environment but just that we do not have the data to form a judgement.

Environmental fate	Ecotoxicity	Human health
	Ecotoxicity Low alert: Fish acute ecotoxicity: Low; Daphnia chronic ecotoxicity: Low Warning: Significant data are missing	Human health High alert: Genotoxic; Neurotoxicant Warning: Significant data are missing

GENERAL INFORMATION

Description

Drug used to relieve breathing problems related to heart failure, pulmonary edema, bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Availability status

Introduction & key dates

1888, first isolated

Examples of species treated

Cat, Dogs

Chemical structure

Isomerism

Chemical formula

C₇H₈N₄O₂

Canonical SMILES

CN1C2=C(C(=O)N(C1=O)C)NC=N2

Isomeric SMILES

No data

International Chemical Identifier key (InChIKey)

ZFXYFBGIUFBOJW-UHFFFAOYSA-N

International Chemical Identifier (InChI)

InChI=1S/C7H8N4O2/c1-10-5-4(8-3-9-5)6(12)11(2)7(10)13/h3H,1-2H3,(H,8,9)

2D structure diagram/image available?

Yes

Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre diagrams

Common Name	Relationship	Link
theophylline	-

General status

Veterinary substance type

Muscle relaxant, Bronchodilator, Medicinal drug

Substance groups

Methylxanthine

Minimum active substance purity

Known relevant impurities

Substance origin

Synthetic

Mode of action

Works by inhibiting cellular enzymes promoting the dilation of smooth muscle in bronchial tubes and blood vessels.

Molecular targets

[Adenosine A1 receptor, antagonist], [Adenosine A2a receptor, antagonist], [Adenosine A2b receptor, anatgonist], [cAMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase 4B, antagonist], [cGMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase, antagonist], [cAMP-specific 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase 4A, antagonist], [cGMP-inhibited 3',5'-cyclic phosphodiesterase A, antagonist]

CAS RN

58-55-9

EC number

200-385-7

CIPAC number

US EPA chemical code

PubChem CID

ATCvet Code

QR03DA04

Therapeutic Class

Respiratory system: Drugs for obstructive airway diseases

Controlled Drug?

Regulation 37/2010 MRL Classification

No data

Molecular mass

180.16

PIN (Preferred Identification Name)

IUPAC name

1,3-dimethyl-7H-purine-2,6-dione

CAS name

1,3-dimethyl-2,6-dioxo-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropurine

Other status information

Relevant Environmental Water Quality Standards

Physical state

White crystalline powder

Formulations

Property

Product

Manufacturer

Authorisation Route

UK Legal Class

Example products using this active

Corvental D 100 mg hard capsules

Novartis Animal Health

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Corvental D 500 mg hard capsules

Novartis Animal Health

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Corvental D 200 mg hard capsules

Novartis Animal Health

UK National authorisation

Prescription only medicine to be authorised by a veterinarian (POM-V)

Formulation and application details

Usually supplied in tablet or capsule form for oral administration

ENVIRONMENTAL FATE

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Solubility - In water at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

7360

High

Solubility - In organic solvents at 20 °C (mg l⁻¹)

Melting point (°C)

272

Boiling point (°C)

Degradation point (°C)

Flashpoint (°C)

Octanol-water partition coefficient at pH 7, 20 °C

9.55 X 10^-01

Calculated

Log P

-0.02

Low

Fat solubility of residues

Solubility

Data type

Density (g ml⁻¹)

Dissociation constant pKa) at 25 °C

8.81

Vapour pressure at 20 °C (mPa)

6.81 X 10^-04

Low volatility

Henry's law constant at 25 °C (Pa m³ mol⁻¹)

Maximum UV-vis absorption L mol⁻¹ cm⁻¹

Surface tension (mN m⁻¹)

Refractive Index

Degradation

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Soil degradation (days) (aerobic)

DT₅₀ (typical)

DT₅₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₅₀ (field)

DT₉₀ (lab at 20 °C)

DT₉₀ (field)

Note

Manure DT₅₀ (days)

Aqueous photolysis DT₅₀ (days) at pH 7

Value

Note

Aqueous hydrolysis DT₅₀ (days) at 20 °C and pH 7

Value

Note

Water-sediment DT₅₀ (days)

Water phase only DT₅₀ (days)

Soil adsorption and mobility

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Linear

K_d

K_oc

Notes and range

Freundlich

K_f

K_foc

¹/_n

Notes and range

pH sensitivity

Fate indices

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

GUS leaching potential index

Bio-concentration factor

BCF (l kg⁻¹)

CT₅₀ (days)

Known soil and groundwater metabolites

None

Other known metabolites

Metabolite name and reference

Aliases

Formation medium / Rate

Estimated maximum occurrence fraction

Metabolising enzymes

1-methylxanthine

Human (Liver)

Cytochrome P450 1A2

3-methylxanthine

Human (Liver)

Cytochrome P450 1A2

1,3-dimethyluric acid

Human (Liver)

Cytochrome P450 2E1

ECOTOXICOLOGY

Terrestrial ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

225

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Short term dietary NOEL

(mg kg⁻¹)

(ppm diet)

Mammals - Chronic 21d NOAEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Birds - Acute LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Birds - Short term dietary (LC₅₀/LD₅₀)

Birds - Chronic 21d NOEL (mg kg⁻¹ bw d⁻¹)

Earthworms - Acute 14 day LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Earthworms - Chronic NOEC, reproduction (mg kg⁻¹)

Soil micro-organisms

Collembola

Acute LC₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

Chronic NOEC (mg kg⁻¹)

Non-target plants

Honeybees (Apis spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Unknown mode acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Chronic

Bumblebees (Bombus spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Mason bees (Osmia spp.)

Contact acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Oral acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg bee⁻¹)

Other bee species (1)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Other bee species (2)

Acute LD₅₀ (worst case from 24, 48 and 72 hour values - μg insect⁻¹)

Mode of exposure

Beneficial insects (Ladybirds)

Beneficial insects (Lacewings)

Beneficial insects (Parasitic wasps)

Beneficial insects (Predatory mites)

Beneficial insects (Ground beetles)

Aquatic ecotoxicology

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Fish - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

> 100

Leuciscus idus

Low

Fish - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Acute 48 hour EC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Aquatic invertebrates - Chronic 21 day NOEC (mg l⁻¹)

178

Daphnia magna

Low

Aquatic crustaceans - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Acute 96 hour LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, static, water (mg l⁻¹)

Sediment dwelling organisms - Chronic 28 day NOEC, sediment (mg kg⁻¹)

Aquatic plants - Acute 7 day EC₅₀, biomass (mg l⁻¹)

Algae - Acute 72 hour EC₅₀, growth (mg l⁻¹)

> 100

Scenedesmus subspicatus

Low

Algae - Chronic 96 hour NOEC, growth (mg l⁻¹)

Mesocosm study data

NOEAEC mg l⁻¹

HUMAN HEALTH AND PROTECTION

General

Property

Value

Source; quality score; and other information

Interpretation

Threshold of Toxicological Concern (Cramer Class)

High (class III)

Mammals - Acute oral LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹)

225

Rat

Moderate

Mammals - Dermal LD₅₀ (mg kg⁻¹ body weight)

Mammals - Inhalation LC₅₀ (mg l⁻¹)

Other Mammal toxicity endpoints

Subcutaneous LD₅₀ = 325 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

Intraperitoneal LD₅₀ = 150 mg kg⁻¹

Rat

ADI - Acceptable Daily Intake (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

ARfD - Acute Reference Dose (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AAOEL - Acute Acceptable Operator Exposure Level (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

AOEL - Acceptable Operator Exposure Level - Systemic (mg kg⁻¹ bw day⁻¹)

Dermal penetration studies (%)

Dangerous Substances Directive 76/464

Exposure Routes

Public

Occupational

Mammalian dose elimination route and rate

Extensively metabolised in the liver, only 10% excreted unchanged in the urine

Health issues

Specific human health issues

Carcinogen

Genotoxic

Endocrine disruptor

No data found

; ; ; ;

No data found

Reproduction / development effects

Acetyl cholinesterase inhibitor

Neurotoxicant

No data found

Respiratory tract irritant

Skin irritant

Skin sensitiser

No data found

Eye irritant

Phototoxicant

No data found

General human health issues

Possible kidney toxicant
May cause vomiting

Handling issues

Property

Value and interpretation

General

IMDG Transport Hazard Class 6.1

CLP classification 2013

WHO Classification

Not listed (Not listed)

UN Number

UN1544

Waste disposal & packaging

Packaging Group III (minor danger)

Shelf-life, storage, stability and reactivity

TRANSLATIONS

Language

Name

English

theophylline

French

German

Danish

Italian

Spanish

Greek

Polish

Swedish

Hungarian

Dutch

Norwegian

Record last updated:	17/08/2023
Contact:	aeru@herts.ac.uk
Please cite as:	Lewis, K.A., Tzilivakis, J., Warner, D. and Green, A. (2016) An international database for pesticide risk assessments and management. Human and Ecological Risk Assessment: An International Journal, 22(4), 1050-1064. DOI: 10.1080/10807039.2015.1133242