Pentoxifylline
Risk Factor: CM
Class: HEMATOLOGICAL AGENTS
/ Hemorheologic
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Pentoxifylline is a synthetic xanthine derivative used to lower blood viscosity in peripheral vascular and cerebrovascular diseases. No published reports of its use in human pregnancy have been located.
Reproduction studies in rats and rabbits at oral doses up to 4.2 and 3.5 times the maximum recommended human dose on a surface area basis revealed no evidence of teratogenicity (1). In rats, however, an increased incidence of resorptions was seen at the maximum dose (1).
In a surveillance study of Michigan Medicaid recipients involving 229,101 completed pregnancies conducted between 1985 and 1992, 34 newborns had been exposed to pentoxifylline during the 1st trimester (F. Rosa, personal communication, FDA, 1993). Five (14.7%) major birth defects were observed (one expected), including (observed/expected) 2/0 cardiovascular defects and 1/0 spina bifida. No anomalies were observed in four other defect categories (oral clefts, polydactyly, limb reduction defects, and hypospadias) for which specific data were available. Although the number of exposures is small, the total number of defects and both specific defects are suggestive of possible associations, but other factors, including the mother's disease, concurrent drug use, and chance, may be involved.
Pentoxifylline causes a significant increase in sperm motility, but not concentration, and may be useful in patients with normogonadotrophic asthenozoospermia (2).
Breast Feeding Summary
Pentoxifylline is excreted into human milk. Five healthy women, who had been breast-feeding for at least 6 weeks, were given a single 400-mg sustained-release tablet of pentoxifylline (commercially available formulation) after a 4-hour fast (3). The mean milk:plasma ratio of unmetabolized pentoxifylline at 4 hours was 0.87. Mean milk:plasma ratios for the three major metabolites at 4 hours were 0.76, 0.54, and 1.13. Mean milk concentration of pentoxifylline at 2 hours (73.9 ng/mL) was approximately twice as much as that occurring at 4 hours (35.7 ng/mL) (3). Pentoxifylline and its metabolites are stable in breast milk for 3 weeks when stored at 15 C (4).
References
- Product information. Trental. Hoechst Roussel Roussel, 2000.
- Shen M-R, Chiang P-H, Yang R-C, Hong C-Y, Chen S-S. Pentoxifylline stimulates human sperm motility both in vitro and after oral therapy. Br J Clin Pharmacol 1991;31:7114.
- Witter FR, Smith RV. The excretion of pentoxifylline and its metabolites into human breast milk. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1985;151:10947.
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Bauza MT, Smith RV, Knutson DE, Witter FR. Gas chromatographic determination of pentoxifylline and its major metabolites in human breast milk. J Chromatogr 1984;310:619.
Questions and Answers
Has anyone ever used a medication called TRENTAL (Pentoxifylline) for circulation problems?, I am trying to help my grandfather who has circulation problems and his hands and feet get cold easy in the winter time. He is in good health overall, doesn't smoke, ect. His doctor mentioned a medication called TRENTAL...has anyone used this? What problems did you have? What positive benefits did you notice? What dose do you take and how often? Any other possible solutions for circulation problems like this besides the Trental?
He needs testing for peripheral vascular disease. The best first
tests are ABI's & PVRs. If they are normal, Trental won't really help.
If they are abnormal, he should see a vascular surgeon for evaluation.
What is pentoxifylline? Is this can help for chronic kidney disease?,
Pentoxifylline, a drug used to treat patients with circulation problems, may also benefit those with kidney disease caused by diabetes and other conditions. Specifically, pentoxifylline decreases proteinuria, the abnormal leakage of protein into the urine.
Proteinuria is a strong risk factor for kidney failure, and by decreasing proteinuria, pentoxifylline may help in reducing the likelihood that a diabetic patient will end up needing dialysis.
If you unsure ask the doctor. specialist or the National Kidney Foundation.
has anyone ever used pentoxifylline for there dogs?mine has really dry skin on his ears .?, he does not have mites and this has been an on going problem ,i changed his food to science diet ,and he gets vit too,he is very healthy but today the vet gave him this med and siad sometimes the ciculation is not good to ears and it will cause this ,does anyone know if its dangerous ,i have gave him one dose and he vomited a lil but this is commmon on thismed ,i just wanted to know if anyone else has used it ,i know its common ,but just kinda scared ..please answer this for me thanks
If you have questions about the medication you may want to consult your vet again to be clear of any side effects or if there is an alternative they may recommend.
You do need to inform your vet that the pet vomited. They will want to know if the pet vomited shortly after administering the medication? Typically, if it was within the hour, the medication probably came up and she didn't get much, if any of it in her system.
I disagree with the comment stating Hills is not a quality brand diet. I work for a vet and we highly recommend it. My dogs are on the Hills J/D (Joint/Diet) and I've noticed significant improvement on their ability to get around. I'm barely using pain management medications for them since starting the diet.
Once again, if you feel there is an issue with the medication, consult your regular vet or consider getting a second opinion from another.
Either way, good luck. Hope your "baby" gets to feeling better soon.
Has anyone ever used a medication called TRENTAL (Pentoxifylline) for circulation problems?, I am trying to help my grandfather who has circulation problems and his hands and feet get cold easy in the winter time. He is in good health overall, doesn't smoke, ect. His doctor mentioned a medication called TRENTAL...has anyone used this? What problems did you have? What positive benefits did you notice? What dose do you take and how often? Any other possible solutions for circulation problems like this besides the Trental?
Yes, there are some natural ways to treat poor circulation.
Cayenne or Capsicum (same herb) is excellent for increasing circulation. It is hot pepper. Take with food!
Another herb that increases circulation to the extremeties is Ginko Biloba.
You can take these herbs together, simultaneously, with no problems. A deodorized garlic supplement would also help.
Cayenne strengthens the heart, too...while ginko biloba improves memory & helps improve erectile dysfunction, too.
I know nothing about the medicine you mentioned. Sorry.
