Pentoxifylline 400 mg Tablets  

What is Pentoxifylline used for:

• Pentoxifylline is a medication that belongs to a class of medicines known as” hemorheological agents”.
• It is used for the treatment of patients with intermittent claudication (muscle pain that occurs upon mild exertion usually during exercise and in the calf muscle).
• It acts by improving symptoms and function but does not replace your definitive treatment, like removal of arterial obstructions or surgical bypass.

Do not take Pentoxifylline: 

• If you have a recent cerebral and/or retinal hemorrhage (bleeding in the brain or eye).
• If you have previously experienced intolerance to this medicine or methylxanthines like, theophylline, caffeine and theobromine. 

Warnings & Precautions:

• Stop the medication right away and talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you develop allergic reactions such as shortness of breath, skin rash, swelling of the face or neck, decreased blood pressure and dizziness. 
• Talk to your doctor if you experience signs of angina or low blood pressure or irregular heart rhythms like, palpitations, dizziness, fatigue, chest pain and difficulty breathing. 
• Make sure to tell your doctor if you are taking warfarin.
• Your doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring of some blood tests (e.g. prothrombin time) to check for safety. 
• Make sure to tell your doctor if you have previously experienced risks of bleedings (e.g. ulcer in your bowel, brain or eye bleeding and recent surgery).
• Your doctor may recommend frequent monitoring of blood tests (e.g. hemoglobin and hematocrit) to check for bleeding. 
• Talk to your doctor if you are taking blood pressure medications.
• Your doctor may recommend regular blood pressure monitoring and may adjust the dose of your medications accordingly if needed. 

Possible Side Effects: 

• Possible side effects include signs of an allergic reaction, like rash and itching and signs of heart and vascular problems, like chest pain, palpitations, flushing and irregular heart rhythms.
• Common side effects include abdominal discomfort, bloating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, indigestion, dizziness, headache, shivering and blurred vision.  

Other medicines and Pentoxifylline: 

• Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medications including over the counter non-prescription medicines, prescription medicines, herbal supplements, vitamins and supplements.
• If you are taking antiplatelets or anticoagulants (blood thinners e.g. warfarin).
• If you are taking theophylline-containing medications.
• If you are taking blood pressure medications (e.g. nifedipine or captopril).

How to take Pentoxifylline: 

• Adults : Recommended dose is one extended-release tablet (400 mg) orally three times a day.
• Children : Safety and effectiveness of this medicine have not been established in children yet.
• Elderly : Your doctor may recommend monitoring your kidney function and may adjust the dose accordingly. 
• Take tablet with food.
• Take tablet with a full glass of water. 
• Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. 
• It may take 2 to 4 weeks for the medication to start showing effect.
• It is recommended that you take this medicine for a minimum of 8 weeks. 
• If you develop nervous system and digestive side effects, your doctor may reduce the dose to twice a day.
• If signs persist even after reducing the dose, your doctor may recommend completely stopping the medication. 

How to store Pentoxifylline: 

• Keep out of the reach of children and pets
• Store medication at 15 to 30°C
• Do not use beyond the expiry date mentioned on the box 
• Keep medication in its original pack to protect it from moisture and light
• Do not use damaged pills
• Do not dispose medication in the wastewater or household waste