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Basic Drug Info

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Drug Name:	Pentoxil
Manufacturer:	UPSHER-SMITH LABORATORIES, INC.
Other Info:	Mode of Action: Pentoxifylline and its metabolites improve the flow properties of blood by decreasing its viscosity. In patients with chronic peripheral arterial disease, this increases blood flow to the affected microcirculation and enhances tissue oxygenation. The precise mode of action of pentoxifylline and the sequence of events leading to clinical improvement are still to be defined. Pentoxifylline administration has been shown to produce dose-related hemorrheologic effects, lowering blood viscosity, and improving erythrocyte flexibility. Leukocyte properties of hemorrheologic importance have been modified in animal and in vitro human studies. Pentoxifylline has been shown to increase leukocyte deformability and to inhibit neutrophil adhesion and activation. Tissue oxygen levels have been shown to be significantly increased by therapeutic doses of pentoxifylline in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Clinical Trials:	NIH - Clinical Trials

Indications and Usage

Pentoxil® (Pentoxifylline Extended-release Tablets, USP) is indicated for the treatment of patients with intermittent claudication on the basis of chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs.

Pentoxil® can improve function and symptoms but is not intended to replace more definitive therapy, such as surgical bypass, or removal of arterial obstructions when treating peripheral vascular disease.

Intermittent Claudication -- A symptom complex characterized by pain and weakness in SKELETAL MUSCLE group associated with exercise, such as leg pain and weakness brought on by walking. Such muscle limpness disappears after a brief rest and is often relates to arterial STENOSIS; muscle ISCHEMIA; and accumulation of LACTATE.

Arteriopathic disease -- An impairment of the structure or function of the blood vessels which carry blood away from the heart.

Chronic disease -- Diseases which have one or more of the following characteristics: they are permanent, leave residual disability, are caused by nonreversible pathological alteration, require special training of the patient for rehabilitation, or may be expected to require a long period of supervision, observation, or care. (Dictionary of Health Services Management, 2d ed)

Symptoms -- An indication that a person has a condition or disease. Some examples of symptoms are headache, fever, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and pain.

Arterial Occlusion -- obstruction or closure of the vessels carrying blood away from the heart.

Peripheral Vascular Diseases -- Pathological processes involving any one of the BLOOD VESSELS in the vasculature outside the HEART.

Contraindications

Pentoxil® (Pentoxifylline Extended-release Tablets, USP) should not be used in patients with recent cerebral and/or retinal hemorrhage or in patients who have previously exhibited intolerance to this product or methylxanthines such as caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine.

RETINAL HEMORRHAGE -- Bleeding from the vessels of the retina.