Trental (Pentoxifylline)

General information

Trental belongs to the group of medications called vasoactive agents. This medication works by improving blood flow in the arms and legs. Pentoxifylline is used to treat chronic circulation disorders of the arms and legs, such as intermittent claudication (peripheral arterial disease) or ulcers due to poor blood supply.

Directions

Take Trental exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The usual recommended adult starting dose of pentoxifylline is 400 mg twice daily after meals. Your doctor may adjust the dose over time as needed to a maximum of 400 mg 3 times daily. Trental should be taken by mouth with a full glass of water with food. Taking this medicine with food may help decrease nausea and vomiting. Improvement in symptoms can occur in 2-4 weeks, but it may take up to 8 weeks to get the full benefit.

Precautions

Before taking Trental you should talk with your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis, hepatitis, previous bleeding in the brain or retina, or other bleeding complications, low blood pressure (hypotension) or are taking blood pressure medications, have any allergies. This drug may rarely make you dizzy. Do not drive or perform tasks that require alertness. Tobacco may worsen your condition or decrease the beneficial effects of Trental by narrowing your blood vessels. Limit alcoholic beverages. Seniors may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medication.

Contraindications

Do not take Trental if you are allergic to pentoxifylline, to xanthines (caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine), or to any of the ingredients of the medication, are bleeding, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have heart attack, severe coronary artery disease, stomach or intestinal ulcer.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have bloating, diarrhea, dizziness, lightheadedness, flushing, headache, heartburn, nausea, stomach discomfort, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, bleeding, chest pain, difficulty breathing, hives, itching, swelling of your lips, tongue, or face, insomnia, nervousness. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: theophylline, ciprofloxacin, antidiabetes medications (glyburide, insulin, metformin), erythromycin, aspirin, blood pressure reducing medications (metoprolol, ramipril), cimetidine, ketorolac medications that affect blood clotting (clopidogrel, heparin, warfarin), sympathomimetic medications (pseudoephedrine), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (indomethacin, celecoxib, ibuprofen, diclofenac), platelet inhibitors (clopidogrel, prasugrel). Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are flushing, severe dizziness, seizures, drowsiness, loss of consciousness, fever, agitation, low blood pressure (hypotension), slowed heart rate (bradycardia).

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.