Pentoxifylline

Information about Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline is a xanthine derivative that decreases the viscosity of blood and is used to treat symptoms of intermittent claudication due to peripheral vascular disease.

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Pentoxifylline structure

Liver safety of Pentoxifylline

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Pentoxifylline ball-and-stick

Pentoxifylline has not been associated with serum enzyme elevations during therapy, but in several isolated case reports has been linked to clinically apparent liver injury.

Mechanism of action of Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline (pen" tox if' i lin) is a small molecular weight methyl derivative of xanthine that appears to act by improving red blood cell deformability, thus reducing blood viscosity as well as decreasing platelet aggregation and thrombus formation.

Current indications are limited to symptomatic therapy of intermittent claudication. Several prospective controlled trials have shown that pentoxifylline decreases symptoms of intermittent claudication, although its overall effects appear to be modest. Pentoxifylline is a xanthine and also acts as a nonselective inhibitor of phosphodiesterases, which causes an increase in intracellular cyclic AMP and decreased synthesis of tumor necrosis factor alpha and leukotrienes. These antiinflammatory effects have led to its evaluation in several inflammatory liver diseases such as acute and chronic alcoholic hepatitis, nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), and autoimmune liver diseases.

FDA approval information for Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline was approved in the United States in 1984 after it had been used extensively in other countries for more than a decade.

Dosage and administration for Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline is available by prescription in extended release tablets of 400 mg in several generic forms and under the brand names Trental and Pentoxil. The recommended dose is 400 mg three times daily with meals.

Side effects of Pentoxifylline

Side effects are not uncommon and can include flushing, abdominal discomfort, diarrhea, dyspepsia, nausea, headache, dizziness and blurred vision. Patients with intolerance to xanthines such as caffeine or theophylline may have similar symptoms with pentoxifylline. Beta-2 Adrenergic Agonists

Albuterol, Bitolterol, Formoterol, Metaproterenol, Pirbuterol, Salbutamol, Salmeterol, Terbutaline

Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists

Montelukast, Zafirlukast

Monoclonal Antibodies

Benralizumab, Mepolizumab, Omalizumab, Reslizumab

Xanthine Derivatives

Theophylline Zileuton

• Dailymed label info on Pentoxifylline
• FDA Pentoxifylline