Paraxanthine (1,7-dimethylxanthine), a metabolite of caffeine, is a central nervous stimulant and exerts anti-inflammatory effects. Paraxanthine functions as the antagonist of adenosine receptors A1 and A2a and has lower toxicity and lesser anxiogenic effects than caffeine. Also, paraxanthine acts as an inhibitor of nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) and may have therapeutic potential in pulmonary inflammatory diseases such as COPD. In addition, paraxanthine, and some others metabolites of caffeine differed significantly between advanced-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with poor and good survival in both discovery and validation phases. That is why was made a conclusion, that the identified small metabolites, including paraxanthine, may be useful biomarker candidates to help identify patients who may benefit from platinum-based chemotherapy.

Theobromine is the primary alkaloid present in the cocoa and chocolate. Theobromine is found in the shells and beans of the cacao plant and it is extracted from the husks of the bean and used for the synthesis of caffeine. Theobromine is an adenosine A1 and A2a receptor antagonist. Thesodate is used as a vasodilator, a diuretic, and heart stimulant. And similar to caffeine, it may be useful in management of fatigue and orthostatic hypotension. The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by theobromine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include anxiety, restlessness, tremors, sleeplessness, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite. Theobromine is currently not in use as a medicinal drug.

Cafaminol, a nasal decongestant, has been used in the treatment of acute rhinitis in Germany.

Acefylline is a stimulant drug of the xanthine chemical class. It acts as an adenosine receptor antagonist. Acephylline piperazine is a theophylline derivative with a direct bronchodilator action. It has the advantages over theophylline in being far less toxic and producing minimal gastric irritation. It is indicated for the treatment of asthma, emphysema, acute and chronic bronchitis associated with bronchospasm.Acefylline relaxes smooth muscles, relieves bronchospasm & has a stimulant effect on respiration. It stimulates the myocardium & central nervous system, decreases peripheral resistance & venous pressure & causes diuresis. The mechanism of action is still not clear, inhibition of phosphodiesterase with a resulting increase in intracellular cyclic AMP does occur, but not apparently at concentrations normally used for clinical effect. Other proposed mechanisms of action include adenosine receptor antagonism, prostaglandin antagonism & effects on intracellular calcium. Sodium phenobarbital is a non-selective central nervous system depressant that is primarily used as sedative-hypnotic.

Since its discovery as component of the tea leaf by Albert Kossel in 1888, the history of theophylline (CAS 58-55-9) has been a long and successful one. At the turn of the century, theophylline became less expensive due to chemical synthesis and was primarily used as diuretic in subsequent years. It was Samuel Hirsch who discovered the bronchospasmolytic effect of theophylline in 1992, however, despite this pioneering discovery theophylline continued to be used primarily as diuretic and cardiac remedy. The molecular mechanism of bronchodilatation is inhibition of phosphodiesterase(PDE)3 and PDE4, but the anti-inflammatory effect may be due to histone deacetylase (HDAC) activation, resulting in switching off of activated inflammatory genes. Theophylline is indicated for the treatment of acute exacerbations of the symptoms and reversible airflow obstruction associated with asthma and other chronic lung diseases, e.g., emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

Caffeine is a methylxanthine alkaloid found in the seeds, nuts, or leaves of a number of plants native to South America and East Asia that is structurally related to adenosine and acts primarily as an adenosine receptor antagonist with psychotropic and anti-inflammatory activities. Upon ingestion, caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), which inhibits adenosine binding. This inhibits the adenosine-mediated downregulation of CNS activity; thus, stimulating the activity of the medullary, vagal, vasomotor, and respiratory centers in the brain. The anti-inflammatory effects of caffeine are due the nonselective competitive inhibition of phosphodiesterases. Caffeine is used by mouth or rectally in combination with painkillers (such as aspirin and acetaminophen) and a chemical called ergotamine for treating migraineheadaches. It is also used with painkillers for simple headaches and preventing and treating headaches after epidural anesthesia. Caffeine creams are applied to the skin to reduce redness and itching in dermatitis. Healthcare providers sometimes give caffeine intravenously (by IV) for headache after epidural anesthesia, breathing problems in newborns, and to increase urine flow. In foods, caffeine is used as an ingredient in soft drinks, energy drinks, and other beverages.

Caffeine is a methylxanthine alkaloid found in the seeds, nuts, or leaves of a number of plants native to South America and East Asia that is structurally related to adenosine and acts primarily as an adenosine receptor antagonist with psychotropic and anti-inflammatory activities. Upon ingestion, caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the central nervous system (CNS), which inhibits adenosine binding. This inhibits the adenosine-mediated downregulation of CNS activity; thus, stimulating the activity of the medullary, vagal, vasomotor, and respiratory centers in the brain. The anti-inflammatory effects of caffeine are due the nonselective competitive inhibition of phosphodiesterases. Caffeine is used by mouth or rectally in combination with painkillers (such as aspirin and acetaminophen) and a chemical called ergotamine for treating migraineheadaches. It is also used with painkillers for simple headaches and preventing and treating headaches after epidural anesthesia. Caffeine creams are applied to the skin to reduce redness and itching in dermatitis. Healthcare providers sometimes give caffeine intravenously (by IV) for headache after epidural anesthesia, breathing problems in newborns, and to increase urine flow. In foods, caffeine is used as an ingredient in soft drinks, energy drinks, and other beverages.