Detailed Drug Information:

DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Pentoxifylline decreases the "stickiness"(viscosity) of blood and thereby improves its flow. This increase bloodflow helps patients with peripheral arterial disease to obtain bettercirculation and oxygen delivery to vital tissues. Pentoxifylline is usedin patients to treat a condition of painful legs that develop withexercise because of inadequate circulation to the legs and feet(intermittent claudication).

PREPARATIONS: 400mg oral tablets.

STORAGE: Store in a dry place at 15-30 degrees C (59-86 F), usea light resistant container.

PRESCRIBED FOR: Pentoxifylline is used in patients with poorcirculation of the limbs and that have intermittent claudication.Intermittent claudication causes pain in the leg when you walk. Althoughnot approved for other use, it is often for circulation problems broughton by diabetes, sickle-cell anemia, Raynaud's syndrome, and otherconditions.

DOSING: Pentoxifylline should be taken at doses specificallydirected by the physician. Pentoxifylline may be taken with or withoutfood.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Pentoxifylline is not be used in patients whohave had recent brain hemorrhage. This medication is a relative ofcaffeine and theophylline and should be used cautiously in patientssensitive to these substances.

SIDE EFFECTS: Pentoxifylline is relatively safe and doses notinteract with many other drugs. Pentoxifylline, however, can interferewith blood clotting, especially if taken with the blood thinner Coumadin.Pentoxifylline has been associated rarely with nausea, headaches, anxiety,insomnia, drowsiness, and loss of appetite. Increased blood pressure canoccur and blood pressure is monitored.