PENTOXIFYLLINE

Brand & Generic Names

Trental

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Hemorrheologic agent

Uses

Reduces pain in legs caused by poor circulation.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Extended-release tablets--Swallow whole with water and food.

When to take:
At mealtimes. Taking with food decreases the likelihood of irritating the stomach to cause nausea.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 3 hours late. If more than 3 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Reduces "stickiness" of red blood cells and improves flexibility of the red cells.
Improves blood flow through blood vessels.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 hour. Several weeks for full effect on circulation.

Don't take with:
Tobacco or medicines to treat hypertension.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness, flushed face, fainting, nervousness, convulsions, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Chest pain, irregular Discontinue. Seek heartbeat. emergency treatment.

Common:

None expected.

Infrequent:

• Dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting. low blood pressure, nose bleed, swollen feet and ankles, viral-like syndrome, nasal congestion, laryngitis, rash, itchy skin, blurred vision, abdominal pain.
• Insomnia, nervousness, red eyes.

Rare:

None expected.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:
You are allergic to pentoxifylline.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you are allergic to caffeine, theophylline, theobromine, aminophyllin, dyphyllin, oxtriphylline, theobromine.
• If you have angina.
• If you have liver or kidney disease.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Ask doctor about smaller doses.

Pregnancy:
Safety to unborn child not established. Decide with your doctor whether drug benefits justify risk to unborn child.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:
No problems expected.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Wait to see if drug causes drowsiness or dizziness. If none, no problems expected.

Discontinuing:
No problems expected.

Others:
Don't smoke.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Anticoagulants*,	Possible decreased effect of
oral	anticoagulant.
Antihypertensives*	Possible increased effect of
(acebutolol,	hypertensive medication.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Unknown. Best to avoid.
Coffee, tea or	May decrease
other caffeine-	effectiveness of
containing	pentoxifylline.
Cocaine:	Reduced pentoxifylline effect.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Decreased effect of pentoxifylline.
Tobacco:	Decreased effect of pentoxifylline.
	Avoid.