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Data updated: May 26, 2026

THEO-24 (theophylline)

Respiratory Approved 1983-08-22

Theo-24 is an extended-release methylxanthine indicated for the chronic treatment of symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with long-term lung conditions, including bronchial asthma, emphysema, and chronic bronchitis. It is used for the maintenance of airway patency and to reduce the airways' hyperresponsiveness to various respiratory stimuli; however, it is not intended for the treatment of acute bronchospasm.

Source: FDA Label • ENDO OPERATIONS • Methylxanthine

How THEO-24 Works

While its exact mechanisms are not known with certainty, theophylline is believed to induce bronchodilation by inhibiting phosphodiesterase isozymes (primarily PDE III and, to a lesser extent, PDE IV), resulting in airway smooth muscle relaxation. It also exerts non-bronchodilator prophylactic effects by suppressing airway response to stimuli through molecular pathways distinct from PDE inhibition. Additionally,

Source: FDA Label
1
Indication
--
Phase 3 Trials
42
Years on Market

Details

Status
Prescription
First Approved
1983-08-22
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
CAPSULE, EXTENDED RELEASE

Companies

Active Ingredient: THEOPHYLLINE

THEO-24 Approval History

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Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
36 FDA actions from 1983 to 2005
Mar 2005 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Dec 2001 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)
Oct 1997 SUPPL
Mfg · Manufacturing (CMC)

What THEO-24 Treats

4 indications

THEO-24 is approved for 4 conditions since its original approval in 1983. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

  • Asthma
  • Emphysema
  • Chronic Bronchitis
  • Chronic Lung Disease
Source: FDA Label

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Clinical Trial Registry

21 trials
Trial Sponsor ID Phase Status Title
NCT03029429 IND 133103 Ph 2 active not recruiting Theophylline Treatment for Pseudohypoparathyroidism
NCT04551170 IND 133103 R01 Ph 2 active not recruiting Theophylline Treatment for Pseudohypoparathyroidism - Children 2-12 Years Old
NCT05076682 Renaissance 2107239-9 Ph 2 recruiting Reverse Triple Negative Immune Resistant Breast Cancer
NCT05947643 results posted 202209062 Ph 2 completed Smell in COVID-19 and Efficacy of Nasal Theophylline (SCENT 3)
NCT02479451 HONORR results posted 2015P001231 Ph 2 completed Helping Olfaction and Nutrition On Renal Replacement
NCT06189404 LG-GDCL013 Ph 1 completed Effect of Tigulixostat on the Pharmacokinetics of Theophylline
NCT03718403 Theophylline in PHP Ph 4 recruiting Effect of Theophylline in Pseudohypoparathyroidism
NCT03990766 SCENT results posted 201901107 Ph 2 completed Smell Changes & Efficacy of Nasal Theophylline
NCT02261727 TASCS results posted TGI-Resp-01 1033117 Ph 4 completed Theophylline and Steroids in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Study
NCT01263106 results posted 12594 H9P-EW-LNCE Ph 1 completed A Study of LY2216684 and Theophylline in Healthy Subjects
NCT02080078 Theophylline 1.0 Ph 1 terminated A Phase I Dose Escalation Study of Erlotinib in Combination With Theophylline
NCT02537691 MB29599 2015-000742-35 Ph 4 completed Longitudinal Cohort Study in Participants With Severe Asthma to Assess Biomarkers
NCT02340520 results posted 14-032-3 Ph 3 completed Enhancement of Corticosteroid Efficacy in COPD
NCT01599871 ASSET 1559-F-447 Ph 3 completed Low-dose Theophylline as Anti-inflammatory Enhancer in Severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
NCT02463409 results posted IRB 150497 Ph 2 completed Theophylline as a Treatment for Children With Pseudohypoparathyroidism Type 1a (Albright Hereditary Osteodystrophy)
NCT01684683 theophylline in NCFB Ph 4 completed The Effect of Theophylline in the Treatment of Bronchiectasis
NCT01769898 theophylline in bronchiectasis Ph 4 completed The Role of Theophylline Plus Low-dose Formoterol-budesonide in Treatment of Bronchiectasis
NCT01799161 20110847 Ph 1 withdrawn Combination of gp96-Ig Vaccine, Theophylline and Oxygen for the Treatment of Patients With Advanced, Relapsed or Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
NCT01601132 results posted MPC-004-11-4001 U1111-1141-7355 Ph 4 completed Drug Interaction Study of Colchicine and Theophylline
NCT01017939 CR017128 COU-AA-015 Ph 1 completed A Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Abiraterone Acetate Plus Prednisone With Dextromethorphan and Theophylline in Patients With Metastatic Castration-Resistant Prostate Cancer
NCT00983905 results posted MPC-004-08-1010 Ph 1 completed Drug-Drug Interaction Study of Colchicine and Theophylline
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Active Pipeline

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Key Completed Trials

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Completed studies with published results, ranked by significance

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

THEO-24 FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

THEO-24 is indicated for the treatment of Asthma; Emphysema; Chronic Bronchitis; Chronic Lung Disease.

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.