Interactions with supplements
Coenzyme Q10
Look Up > Drugs > Pentoxifylline
Pentoxifylline
Pronunciation
U.S. Brand Names
Generic Available
Canadian Brand Names
Synonyms
Pharmacological Index
Use
Pregnancy Risk Factor
Contraindications
Warnings/Precautions
Adverse Reactions
Overdosage/Toxicology
Drug Interactions
Mechanism of Action
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Usual Dosage
Dietary Considerations
Test Interactions
Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status
Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment
Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Patient Information
Nursing Implications
Dosage Forms
References

Pronunciation
(pen toks I fi leen)

U.S. Brand Names
Trental®

Generic Available

No


Canadian Brand Names
Albert® Pentoxifylline; Apo®-Pentoxifylline SR

Synonyms
Oxpentifylline

Pharmacological Index

Blood Viscosity Reducer Agent


Use

Symptomatic management of peripheral vascular disease, mainly intermittent claudication


Pregnancy Risk Factor

C


Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to pentoxifylline or any component and other xanthine derivatives; patients with recent cerebral and/or retinal hemorrhage


Warnings/Precautions

Use with caution in patients with renal impairment


Adverse Reactions

1% to 10%:

Central nervous system: Dizziness, headache

Gastrointestinal: Dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting

<1%: Mild hypotension, angina, agitation, blurred vision, earache


Overdosage/Toxicology

Symptoms of overdose include hypotension, flushing, convulsions, deep sleep, agitation, bradycardia, A-V block

Treatment is supportive; seizures can be treated with diazepam 5-10 mg (0.25-0.4 mg/kg in children); arrhythmias respond to lidocaine


Drug Interactions

Increased effect/toxic potential with cimetidine (increased levels) and other H2-antagonists, warfarin; increased effect of antihypertensives

Increased toxicity with theophylline


Mechanism of Action

Mechanism of action remains unclear; is thought to reduce blood viscosity and improve blood flow by altering the rheology of red blood cells


Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics

Absorption: Oral: Well absorbed

Metabolism: Undergoes first-pass metabolism in the liver

Half-life: Parent drug: 24-48 minutes; Metabolites: 60-96 minutes

Time to peak serum concentration: Within 2-4 hours

Elimination: Mainly in urine


Usual Dosage

Adults: Oral: 400 mg 3 times/day with meals; may reduce to 400 mg twice daily if GI or CNS side effects occur


Dietary Considerations

May be administered with meals or food; food may decrease rate but not extent of absorption


Test Interactions

calcium (S), magnesium (S), false-positive theophylline levels


Mental Health: Effects on Mental Status

May cause dizziness or rarely agitation


Mental Health: Effects on Psychiatric Treatment

None reported


Dental Health: Local Anesthetic/Vasoconstrictor Precautions

No information available to require special precautions


Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment

No effects or complications reported


Patient Information

Take as prescribed for full length of prescription. This may relieve pain of claudication, but additional therapy may be recommended. You may experience dizziness (use caution when driving); GI upset (small frequent meals may help). Report chest pain, persistent headache, nausea or vomiting. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to be pregnant. Consult prescriber if breast-feeding.


Nursing Implications

Do not crush or chew


Dosage Forms

Tablet, controlled release: 400 mg


References

Aronoff SC, Quinn FJ, Carpenter LS, et al, "Effects of Pentoxifylline on Sputum Neutrophil Elastase and Pulmonary Function in Patients With Cystic Fibrosis: Preliminary Observations," J Pediatr, 1994, 125(6 Pt 1):992-7.

Berman W Jr, Berman N, Pathak D, et al, "Effects of Pentoxifylline (Trental®) on Blood Flow, Viscosity, and Oxygen Transport in Young Adults With Inoperable Cyanotic Congenital Heart Disease," Pediatr Cardiol, 1994, 15(2):66-70.

Furukawa S, Matsubara T, Umezawa Y, et al, "Pentoxifylline and Intravenous Gamma Globulin Combination Therapy for Acute Kawasaki Disease," Eur J Pediatr, 1994, 153(9):663-7.

Garnier R, Riboulet-Delmas G, Chatenet T, et al, "Acute Pentoxifylline in Children," Ann Pediatr Paris, 1986, 33(1):62-3.

Lauterbach R, "Pentoxifylline Treatment of Persistent Pulmonary Hypertension of Newborn," Eur J Pediatr, 1993, 152(5):460. (I.V. use)

Lauterbach R, Pawlik D, Tomaszczyk B, et al, "Pentoxifylline Treatment of Sepsis of Premature Infants; Preliminary Clinical Observations," Eur J Pediatr, 1994, 153(9):672-4. (I.V. use)

MacDonald MJ, Shahidi NT, Allen DB, et al, "Pentoxifylline in the Treatment of Children With New-Onset Type I Diabetes Mellitus," JAMA, 1994, 271(1):27-8.

Sznajder IJ, Bentur Y, and Taitelman U, "First and Second Degree Atrioventricular Block in Oxpentifylline Overdose," Br Med J (Clin Res Ed), 1984, 288(6410):26.

Ward A and Clissold SP, "Pentoxifylline: A Review of Its Pharmacodynamic and Pharmacokinetic Properties and Its Therapeutic Efficacy," Drugs, 1987, 34(1):50-97.


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