Cipamfylline

Cipamfylline is a xanthine, a theophylline analogue, and is a potent and selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase type 4 (PDE-4) . Cipamfylline was tested in patients with a diagnosis of atopic dermatitis and in two human models of acute and chronic irritant contact dermatitis. The outcome of the study revealed that cipamfylline was more effective than vehicle in treating atopic dermatitis, but less effective than a group II steroid, hydrocortisone-17-butyrate both in the treatment of atopic dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. The absorption of cipamfylline and the subsequent systemic exposure might be the reason why further clinical studies with higher doses of cipamfylline have not been published.