Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline changes your blood to help improve blood flow. This also helps your blood deliver oxygen to your tissues and organs.

Pentoxifylline is used to improve blood flow and lessen some symptoms of a condition called intermittent claudication (IN-ter-MIT-ent KLOD-ih-KAY-tion). Pentoxifylline is not a cure for this condition.

Pentoxifylline may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take pentoxifylline in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.

Pentoxifylline is usually taken 3 times each day, with meals. Follow your doctor's instructions.

While using pentoxifylline, you may need frequent blood tests.

Do not crush, chew, or break an extended-release tablet. Swallow it whole.

It may take up to 4 weeks before your symptoms improve. Keep using the medicine as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 8 weeks of treatment.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

You should not use pentoxifylline if you have recently had any type of bleeding in your brain or the retina of your eye.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to pentoxifylline, or if you are allergic to caffeine or theophylline (Elixophyllin, Theo-24, Theo-Dur, Slo-Bid, Theochron, Theolair, Uniphyl, and others).

You also should not use pentoxifylline if you have recently had any type of bleeding in your brain or the retina of your eyes.

To make sure pentoxifylline is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:

• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• liver or kidney disease;
• heart disease;
• a history of bleeding in your brain or inside your eyes;
• history of heart attack or stroke;
• a stomach or intestinal ulcer;
• if you have recently had surgery;
• if you are also using theophylline; or
• if you use medicine to treat or prevent blood clots.

It is not known whether pentoxifylline will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Pentoxifylline can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are using pentoxifylline.

Stop taking pentoxifylline and get emergency medical help if you notice any signs of an allergic reaction: hives; trouble breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Pentoxifylline can cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• chest pain;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• red or pink urine;
• feeling light-headed, like you might faint; or
• signs of stomach bleeding—bloody or tarry stools, coughing up blood, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.

Common side effects of pentoxifylline may include:

• dizziness, headache;
• nausea, vomiting;
• diarrhea, gas; or
• bloating, upset stomach.

This is not a full list of side effects, and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Usual Adult Dose for Intermittent Claudication:

400 mg orally 3 times a day. If adverse effects develop, reducing the dose to 400 mg twice a day is recommended.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Signs of an overdose may include extreme sleepiness, restlessness, fever, flushing (warmth, redness, or tingling feeling), fainting, or seizures.

Follow your doctor's guidance regarding any limits on food, drinks, or activities.

If you also take a blood thinner like warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven), you may need to have your "INR" or prothrombin time tests done more often to check your blood-clotting time.

Other drugs may interact with pentoxifylline, including both prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform all your health care providers about all the medicines you are currently using and any new medicine you start or stop using.