Theophylline
Research reviewed: 2000–2015
Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine) is a dietary supplement with 8 published peer-reviewed studies involving 1,480 participants, researched for Respiratory Health & Bronchodilation, Anti-Inflammatory Effects, Cognitive Function.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Respiratory Health & Bronchodilation
ModerateAnti-Inflammatory Effects
ModerateCognitive Function
ModerateResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Respiratory Health & Bronchodilation
Compare theophylline to placebo in COPD management
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Compare theophylline to placebo in COPD management
Dose
200–400 mg/day slow-release
Participants
300
Duration
52 weeks
Results
Theophylline improved FEV1 (+0.09 L) and reduced exacerbation rate by 21% vs placebo
How They Measured It
FEV1, FVC, dyspnoea score, exacerbation frequency
Evaluate theophylline in chronic asthma
Study Type
Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis
Purpose
Evaluate theophylline in chronic asthma
Dose
200–600 mg/day
Participants
840
Duration
12–52 weeks
Results
Theophylline improved lung function and reduced asthma symptoms; less effective than ICS but useful as add-on
How They Measured It
Lung function, symptom scores, rescue inhaler use
Assess low-dose theophylline as anti-inflammatory in COPD
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess low-dose theophylline as anti-inflammatory in COPD
Dose
100 mg twice daily
Participants
56
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Low-dose theophylline significantly reduced inflammatory markers; improved HDAC activity in alveolar macrophages
How They Measured It
Sputum cytokines, TNF-alpha, IL-8 levels
Test theophylline for preventing COPD exacerbations
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Test theophylline for preventing COPD exacerbations
Dose
400 mg/day
Participants
120
Duration
12 months
Results
Theophylline reduced moderate-severe exacerbations by 29%; no significant difference in hospitalisation
How They Measured It
Exacerbation frequency, hospitalisation rate
Anti-Inflammatory Effects
Investigate theophylline anti-inflammatory properties in asthma
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Investigate theophylline anti-inflammatory properties in asthma
Dose
400 mg twice daily
Participants
80
Duration
16 weeks
Results
Theophylline reduced airway inflammation markers; less potent than ICS but significant vs baseline
How They Measured It
Exhaled NO, blood eosinophils, airway cytokines
Assess theophylline on bronchial inflammation and lung function
Study Type
Placebo-Controlled Trial
Purpose
Assess theophylline on bronchial inflammation and lung function
Dose
300 mg/day
Participants
40
Duration
8 weeks
Results
Reduced BAL eosinophils and neutrophils; improved FEV1 by 12% over baseline
How They Measured It
BAL cellularity, FEV1
Cognitive Function
Evaluate theophylline acute cognitive effects vs caffeine
Study Type
Randomised Crossover Trial
Purpose
Evaluate theophylline acute cognitive effects vs caffeine
Dose
250 mg single dose
Participants
24
Duration
Acute
Results
Improved reaction time and attention scores; effects comparable to caffeine; mild anxiolytic effect
How They Measured It
Reaction time, working memory, attention battery
Examine theophylline for cognitive improvement in elderly COPD
Study Type
Randomised Controlled Trial
Purpose
Examine theophylline for cognitive improvement in elderly COPD
Dose
400 mg/day
Participants
20
Duration
24 weeks
Results
Improved oxygenation correlated with cognitive improvements; direct theophylline cognitive effect difficult to isolate
How They Measured It
MMSE, cognitive tests, arterial blood gas
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Theophylline research
There are currently 8 peer-reviewed studies on Theophylline (1,3-Dimethylxanthine), involving 1,480 total participants. Research covers Bronchodilation, Respiratory Health, Cognitive Function and 1 more areas. The overall evidence strength is rated as Moderate.
The evidence is currently rated as "Moderate Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (8 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Theophylline has been researched for: Bronchodilation, Respiratory Health, Cognitive Function, Anti-Inflammatory. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 8 out of 8 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
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