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(for veterinary information only)
AVAILABLE IN
400 mg
TABLETS
Pentoxifylline is a member of the methylxanthine class of drugs as are caffeine and theophylline. Pentoxifylline is able to increase the flexibility of red blood cells, reduce blood viscosity, and increase the blood’s ability to break down blood clots. The overall effect is to make blood more liquid and to enable the red blood cells to travel deeper into tissues than they would normally be able to. This enables better oxygen delivery to tissues and improved circulation from smaller blood vessels (i.e. improved "microcirculation.")
In humans, this medication is used in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease such as sickle cell anemia. In the horse, it is used in the treatment of navicular bone disease where increased microcirculaion is an important part of therapy. In small animal practice, its uses are only recently being explored.
This medication is used to enhance healing in chronic ulcerative conditions such as dermatomyositis of collies and shelties and has been helpful in treating allergic reactions caused by physical contact with the allergen (i.e. contact allergic dermatitis). Ear margin vasculitis (blood vessel inflammation) can also be treated with pentoxifylline. More recently pentoxifylline is being used in the treatment of feline infectious peritonitis, plasma cell pododermatitis, and systemic lupoid onychodystrophy (a toenail disease). Pentoxifylline is being considered for many diseases where microcirculation is considered to be an issue so long as there is no increase in bleeding tendency.
- Humans have reported headache and dizziness on pentoxifylline.
- Patients who have demonstrated a sensitivity to theophylline should avoid pentoxifylline
- Pentoxifylline should not be used in patients with pre-existing seizure disorders and seizures may occur.
- The most common side effect is nausea/diarrhea/stomach upset.
It should be noted that veterinary experience is limited and much is yet unknown about side effects in small animals. Humans overdosed with pentoxifylline have demonstrated signs of flushing, seizures, hypotension, unconsciousness, agitation, fever, somnolence, GI distress and heart rhythm changes.
INTERACTIONS WITH OTHER DRUGS
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may negate the beneficial effects of pentoxifylline but studies are conflicting.
Concurrent use of the quinolone class of antibiotics (including enrofloxacin and orbifloxacin) will increase blood levels of pentoxifylline.
Concurrent use of the antacid cimetidine (tagamet®) will increase blood levels of pentoxifylline.
Concurrent use of theophylline will lead to increased blood levels of theophylline.
Pentoxifylline should be kept protected from light exposure.
Pentoxifylline given to a nursing mother will be present in her milk.
History of cerebral or retinal hemorrhage is considered a contraindication for pentoxifylline. This should make sense as pentoxifylline makes blood less able to clot and improves blood flow; just what one does not want with increased bleeding tendency.
Pentoxifylline is best avoided in patients with liver insufficiency as these patients have an increased bleeding tendency. Further, pentoxifylline is metabolized (removed from the body) through the liver and reduced liver function will lead to higher than expected medication blood levels.
Pentoxifylline is best avoided in patients with renal insufficiency.
Again, pentoxifylline should be avoided in patients with pre-existing seizure disorders
Page last updated: 11/26/07
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