What is the Difference Between Theophylline and Aminophylline?

Theophylline and aminophylline are both bronchodilators used to treat respiratory diseases such as asthma, chronic bronchitis, and COPD. The main difference between the two is that theophylline is more potent and has a longer-acting effect than aminophylline.

Aminophylline is a drug combination that contains theophylline and ethylenediamine in a 2:1 ratio. Once in the body, theophylline is released and acts as a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, adenosine receptor blocker, and histone deacetylase activator. The salt factor for aminophylline is approximately 0.8, which means that the amount of aminophylline that is theophylline is about 80%.

Some key differences between theophylline and aminophylline include:

• Potency: Theophylline is more potent than aminophylline.
• Half-Life: Theophylline has a longer elimination half-life compared to aminophylline.
• Solubility: Theophylline is less water-soluble than aminophylline.
• Chemical Formula: The chemical formula of theophylline is C7H8N4O2, while the chemical formula of aminophylline is C16H24N10O4.
• Molar Mass: The molar mass of theophylline is 180.16 g/mol, while the molar mass of aminophylline is 420.42 g/mol.

Both theophylline and aminophylline are used to treat lung diseases, but theophylline is generally considered more effective and has a longer-lasting effect.

Comparative Table: Theophylline vs Aminophylline

Theophylline and aminophylline are both used in the treatment of respiratory diseases such as COPD and asthma. The key difference between the two is that theophylline is more potent and longer-acting than aminophylline. Aminophylline is a stable mixture of theophylline and ethylenediamine, with a 2:1 ratio. Here is a table summarizing the differences between theophylline and aminophylline:

When switching between theophylline and aminophylline, it is essential to consider the salt factor for aminophylline, which is approximately 0.8. This means that the amount of aminophylline that is theophylline is about 80%. Theophylline is a narrow therapeutic drug, and incorrect switching could lead to toxicity. Patients should be maintained on the same brand of medication, as the rate of absorption from modified-release preparations can vary between brands.