Pentopak (Oral)

Pentoxifylline helps blood flow through blood vessels. It is used to lessen leg pain from poor blood circulation. Pentoxifylline allows you to walk longer before needing to stop due to leg cramps.

Pentoxifylline is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It may take several weeks for this medicine to work. If you feel that pentoxifylline is not working, do not stop taking it on your own. Instead, check with your doctor.

Smoking tobacco may worsen your condition since nicotine may further narrow your blood vessels. Therefore, it is best to avoid smoking.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks against the benefits of the medicine. For this medicine, keep the following in mind:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reactions to this medicine or any other medicines. Also, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have only been conducted in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of pentoxifylline in children to its use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Elderly patients may be more likely to experience side effects, as they are usually more sensitive to the effects of pentoxifylline than younger adults.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together at all. In other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might happen. If you are taking this medicine, it is especially important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The interactions listed are based on their potential significance and may not include all interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Ketorolac
• Riociguat

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is generally not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Adenosine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Aspirin
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Celecoxib
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Dipyrone
• Droxicam
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen Lysine
• Indomethacin
• Ketoprofen
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Proglumetacin
• Propionic Acid
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Regadenoson
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sulindac
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Valdecoxib

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may raise the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs might be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acenocoumarol
• Cimetidine
• Dicumarol
• Theophylline
• Warfarin

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used around mealtime or with certain types of food since interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk with your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor if you have any other medical issues, especially:

• Any condition that poses a risk of bleeding (e.g., recent stroke)—Pentoxifylline may worsen the condition

• Kidney disease or
• Liver disease—The likelihood of side effects may be increased

Along with its necessary effects, a medicine may also cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may require medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Chest pain
• irregular heartbeat

Signs and symptoms of overdose (in the order in which they may occur)

• Drowsiness
• flushing
• faintness
• unusual excitement
• convulsions (seizures)

Some side effects may happen that usually do not require medical attention. These side effects may go away as your body gets used to the medicine. Your health care professional may also have ways to help prevent or lessen some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

Less common

• Dizziness
• headache
• nausea or vomiting
• stomach discomfort

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Pentopak
• Pentoxil
• TRENtal

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet, Extended Release

Therapeutic Class: Hemorheologic

Chemical Class: Methylxanthine

Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it before swallowing.

Pentoxifylline should be taken with meals to lessen the chance of stomach upset. Taking an antacid with the medicine may also help.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (extended-release tablets): For peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems): Adults—400 milligrams (mg) two to three times a day, taken with meals. Children—Use must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.