Pentoxifylline

Description

Pentoxifylline is an effective medicine to treat aching, cramping, and tiredness of the hands and feet associated with blood circulation disorders.

Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Pentoxifylline

  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Drowsiness
  • Convulsions (seizures)
  • Dizziness
  • Headache
  • Vomiting

Uses of Pentoxifylline

What is it prescribed for?

  • Obstructed blood vessels
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Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action
    The effect of this medicine is cumulative and can be observed after 2-4 weeks of administration.
  • Duration of effect
    The time duration for which this medicine remains effective in the body is 8 hours.
  • Safe with alcohol?
    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
  • Is it habit forming?
    No habit forming tendencies were reported.
  • Usage in pregnancy?
    This medicine is not recommended for use by pregnant women unless necessary and the potential benefits outweigh the risks involved. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.
  • Usage while breast-feeding?
    This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. You may be advised to discontinue breastfeeding while using this medicine.

Allergy

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have a known history of allergy to pentoxifylline or any other medicine belonging to the xanthine derivative group.

Hemorrhage

This medicine is not recommended for use if you have had a recent episode of bleeding of the brain or the retina of the eye.
Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

This medicine is not recommended for use by pregnant women unless necessary and the potential benefits outweigh the risks involved. Consult your doctor before using this medicine.

Breast-feeding

This medicine is not recommended for use by women who are breastfeeding unless absolutely necessary. You may be advised to discontinue breastfeeding while using this medicine.
General warnings

Hemorrhage

This medicine should be used with caution in patients exposed to the risk factors of internal bleeding. The risk factors may include a condition or use of certain specific medicine.

Severe allergy

This medicine should be discontinued at the first sign of an allergic reaction. Report any such instance to the doctor immediately.

Kidney/Liver disease

This medicine should be used with caution in patients having an impairment of normal kidney/liver function.

Use in elderly

This medicine should be used with caution in the elderly as the risk of adverse effects are higher.

Other disease

Report any incidence of a disease of the heart or blood vessels, stomach ulcer, internal bleeding in the past/present to the doctor. All these conditions need to be considered before deciding the course of treatment with this medicine.

Caffeine

Avoid or limit the uptake of caffeine or other related products while using this medicine.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next scheduled dose then the missed dose can be skipped.

Overdose

Contact your doctor immediately if an overdose with this medicine is suspected. The symptoms might take 4-5 hours after ingestion to show which may include fall in blood pressure, convulsions, severe sleepiness, agitation, change in pulse rate etc.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.
Interaction with Medicine

Atenolol

Glimepiride

Warfarin

Ketorolac

Insulin

Ibuprofen

Ciprofloxacin

Rauwolfia serpentina

Disease interactions

Porphyria

This medicine is not recommended for use if the patient suffers from this rare genetic disorder of the blood and the skin.
Food interactions
Report the use of fish oil containing omega-3-fatty acids. The risk of bleeding is significantly high if these medicines are used together. Report any incidence of unusual bleeding and bruising to the doctor on priority.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Pentoxifylline exactly as instructed by the doctor. Follow all the usage instructions mentioned on the label. Do not take more or less than the prescribed quantity. It is advised to take this medicine for the entire prescribed duration even when symptoms improve or resolve.
Miscelleneous

To be taken with food

To be taken as instructed by doctor

May cause sleepiness

How it works
This medicine works by reducing the thickness of blood and increasing the flexibility of red blood cells. This causes an improvement of blood flow to the hands and feet.
Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Miscellaneous coagulation modifiers

Schedule

Schedule H

DailyMed - Pentoxifylline tablet, extended release [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 May 2017]. Available from:

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=40ae2d9a-0d95-640d-0640-f76e7e1a13cb

Pentoxifylline | C13H18N4O3 - PubChem [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 22 May 2017]. Available from:

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/4740#section=Top

Pentoxifylline: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 22 May 2017]. Available from:

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a685027.html

Pentoxifylline - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 16 November 2017]. Available from:

https://www.drugbank.ca/drugs/DB00806

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Information on this page was last updated on 16 Nov 2017

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.