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- $Unique_ID{BRK03276}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{pentoxifylline}
- $Subject{Trental Hoechst-Roussel hemorrheologic pentoxifylline intermittent
- claudication leg pain poor blood circulation peripheral vascular disease}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- pentoxifylline
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Trental (Hoechst-Roussel)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- hemorrheologic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- pentoxifylline
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Controlled-release tablets (400 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Store at room temperature in a tightly closed container.
-
- USES
-
- Pentoxifylline is used to treat intermittent claudication (leg pain
- caused by poor blood circulation) or peripheral vascular disease.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To avoid stomach irritation, pentoxifylline should be taken with meals.
- The tablets should be swallowed whole; chewing, crushing, or breaking
- them will destroy the controlled-release activity and increase the risk of
- side effects.
- If you miss a dose of pentoxifylline, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just wait until the next scheduled dose. Do not
- double the dose.
- The benefits from pentoxifylline may be seen within two to four weeks
- after starting the medication.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Abdominal pain, altered taste, belching, bloating, constipation,
- diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive salivation, flushing,
- gas, headache, heartburn, insomnia, nasal congestion, nausea, nosebleeds,
- trembling of the hands, vomiting, or weight change. As your body adjusts to
- pentoxifylline, these side effects should disappear.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum.
- If you feel dizzy or light-headed, lie or sit down for a while; get up
- slowly from a sitting or reclining position, and be careful on stairs.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- chest pain, confusion, earache, flu-like symptoms, itching, palpitations,
- rash, shortness of breath, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual
- weight gain, visual disturbances, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Pentoxifylline interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. Anticoagulants (blood thinners, such as warfarin) in combination with
- pentoxifylline can increase the risk of bleeding complications.
- 2. Pentoxifylline can add to the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- antihypertensive medications.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Before you take this medication, it is important to tell your doctor if
- you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to any medications, especially
- to pentoxifylline or chemically related compounds, such as caffeine,
- dyphylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline, and aminophylline.
- * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had liver disease,
- kidney disease, or peptic ulcer disease.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this drug. Pentoxifylline
- can increase bleeding complications.
- * If pentoxifylline makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
- activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating dangerous
- machinery.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Although
- pentoxifylline appears to be safe in animals, studies in pregnant women have
- not been conducted. Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an
- infant. Small amounts of pentoxifylline pass into human breast milk.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-