Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline is a drug to overcome the symptoms of peripheral artery disease or blood circulation disorders in the arms and legs. Pentoxifylline is available in tablet or injection form. The use of this medicine must be with a doctor's prescription.

Peripheral artery disease is a blockage of blood flow to the arms and legs due to the accumulation of fat in the blood vessels. This condition can cause symptoms in the form of pain ( intermittent claudication ), numbness, and cramps in the arms or legs, especially during activity.

Pentoxifylline works by reducing blood viscosity, as well as increasing the flexibility of red blood cells and white blood cells. That way, the possibility of blockage in the blood vessels becomes smaller. In addition, pentoxifylline can also increase blood flow to the tissue.

Pentoxifylline trademarks : Platof, Trental, Tarontal, and Tioxad 400.

What is Pentoxifylline

Group	Prescription drugs
Category	Hemorrheologic agent
Benefits	Overcome peripheral vascular disease
Consumed by	Adults
Pentoxifylline for pregnant and lactating women	Category C : Studies on experimental animals show side effects on the fetus, but there are no controlled studies on pregnant women. Medicines can only be used if the magnitude of the expected benefit exceeds the magnitude of the risk to the fetus. Therefore, make sure to discuss with a doctor before consuming pentoxifylline during pregnancy. Pentoxifylline can be absorbed into breast milk. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without first consulting your doctor.
Drug form	Tablets and injections

Precautions Before Using Pentoxifylline

Some things to consider before undergoing treatment with pentoxifylline include:

Tell your doctor about any allergies you have. Pentoxifylline should not be used in people who are allergic to this drug or methylxanthine drugs, such as theophylline and theobromine.
Tell your doctor if you have recently had a brain bleed or eye bleed, a severe heart rhythm disorder, or a heart attack . Pentoxifylline should not be used in patients with these conditions.
Tell your doctor if you suffer from hypotension , coronary heart disease, ischemic stroke , blood vessel abnormalities in the brain, kidney disease, liver disease, duodenal ulcer , or gastric ulcer .
Inform the doctor if you have just undergone surgery.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
Do not immediately drive a vehicle or do other activities that require alertness after using pentoxifylline, because this drug can cause drowsiness and dizziness.
Tell your doctor if you are using theophylline, blood thinners, or other medications, including supplements and herbal products. The purpose is to anticipate drug interactions.
See a doctor immediately if you experience a drug allergic reaction or serious side effects after using pentoxifylline.

Dosage and Administration of Pentoxifylline

The following is the dose of pentoxifylline to treat peripheral artery disease or blood circulation disorders based on the form of the drug:

Pentoxifylline tablets

Adults: 400 mg 3 times a day. The dose can be lowered to 400 mg 2 times a day if the side effects bother the patient. The recommended duration of treatment is 8 weeks.

Pentoxifylline infusion or injection

Pentoxifylline infusion or injection is used to overcome peripheral artery disease, blood vessel disorders in the eyes, as well as blood circulation disorders in the brain. The dose of pentoxifylline in the form of infusion or injection will be determined by the doctor according to the severity of the symptoms, as well as the patient's weight and response to treatment.

How to Use Pentoxifylline Correctly

Pentoxifylline infusion or injection can only be given by a doctor or medical personnel under the supervision of a doctor. Follow the doctor's instructions during treatment with pentoxifylline infusion or injection.

If you are prescribed pentoxifylline in tablet form, follow the doctor 's instructions and read the information on the medicine package before consuming it. Do not increase or decrease the dose consumed without consulting a doctor first.

Pentoxifylline tablets should be consumed with food or at mealtime to prevent stomach aches. Swallow pentoxifylline tablets whole without splitting, chewing, or crushing first.

If you forget to take pentoxifylline, take this medicine immediately if it is not close to the next medicine consumption schedule. When it is close, ignore the missed dose and do not double the next dose.

During treatment with pentoxifylline, you may need to undergo several blood tests periodically. Follow the control schedule set by the doctor to undergo the examination so that the response to therapy and your health condition can be monitored.

Store pentoxifylline tablets in a cool place away from direct sunlight, and keep out of the reach of children.

Interactions of Pentoxifylline with Other Drugs

The following are drug interaction effects that can occur if pentoxifylline is used with other drugs:

Increased risk of overdose from pentoxifylline if taken with cimetidine or ciprofloxacin
Increased risk of bleeding if taken with ketorolac or blood thinners, such as warfarin or clopidogrel
Increased risk of low blood pressure if taken together with antihypertensive drugs
Increased risk of hypoglycemia if used with insulin or taken with antidiabetic drugs
Increased risk of side effects from theophylline if used together with pentoxifylline

Side Effects and Dangers of Pentoxifylline

Side effects that may arise after using pentoxifylline are:

Dizziness , headache, drowsiness
Insomnia , restlessness, or sleep disturbances
Nausea, vomiting, belching, bloating, or stomach pain
Blurred vision
Rapid heartbeat ( tachycardia )
Feeling hot in the face or neck ( hot flashes )

Check with a doctor if the side effects do not subside or even worsen. Stop using the drug and see a doctor immediately if you experience an allergic reaction to the drug or more severe side effects, such as: