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What is pentoxifylline?
Pentoxifylline changes the shape of red blood cells in your blood. This makes it easier for these blood cells to fit into small arteries (blood vessels).
Pentoxifylline is used to improve blood flow. Improved blood flow helps to reduce leg cramps and other symptoms of vascular disease (disease related to veins and arteries).
Pentoxifylline may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Precautions
You cannot take pentoxifylline if you have recently hemorrhaged (bled) in the eye or brain, or if you have an allergy to caffeine, theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theo-Bid), or theobromine.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you
- have an ulcer disease (stomach or duodenal ulcer);
- have recently had any type of surgery (including dental);
- have recently had a bleeding disorder; or
- have any type of liver disease.
You may not be able to take pentoxifylline, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Pentoxifylline is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether pentoxifylline will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Pentoxifylline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Tobacco may worsen your condition or decrease the beneficial effects of pentoxifylline by narrowing your blood vessels. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you have a tobacco habit.
Instructions
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of a pentoxifylline overdose include seizures, agitation, fever, loss of consciousness, a flushed face, and drowsiness.
If you do miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember up to 3 hours late. If more than 3 hours have passed, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
Side Effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking pentoxifylline and seek medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- chest pain or an irregular heartbeat;
- severe dizziness, headache, nosebleeds, or blurred vision;
- nausea or vomiting; or
- swollen feet or ankles.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take pentoxifylline and talk to your doctor if you experience
- insomnia,
- red eyes, or
- nervousness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interactions
Before taking pentoxifylline, tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin). Pentoxifylline may increase the effects of anticoagulants such as warfarin, which may result in bleeding.
Theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theo-Bid, Theolair, Theochron, Elixophyllin, Slo-Phyllin, others), aminophylline (Phyllocontin, Truphylline), dyphylline (Lufyllin, Dylix, Dilor, Neothylline), and oxtriphylline (Choledyl) may cause dangerous side effects if taken while you are taking pentoxifylline. Your dosage of these drugs may have to be reduced or blood levels closely monitored. Talk to your doctor if you are currently taking any of these medicines.
Tobacco may worsen your condition or decrease the beneficial effects of pentoxifylline by narrowing your blood vessels. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you use tobacco.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pentoxifylline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2004 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version 2.05. Revision date 8/23/04