General Info: Uses and Effects

Trental Generic (Pentoxifylline) is widely used in the treatment of intermittent claudication, a prevalent condition in the elderly population. A French pharmaceutical company Aventis markets Pentoxifylline under the trade name Trental. The drug causes the blood to flow more freely through the veins by thinning the blood and improving the flexibility of red blood cells.

Trental Pentoxifylline benefits the blood rheology in many complementary ways: lowering plasma fibrinogen while promoting fibrinolysis, decreasing blood and plasma viscosity, and improving blood filterability by lessening neutrophil activation, and enhancing erythrocyte dispensability. Pentoxifylline also provides relief to ache, cramps, and tiredness that people with blood circulation problems can experience. Tissue oxygen levels significantly increased in patients with the peripheral arterial disease by therapeutic doses of this drug.

Contraindication: Important to Know

Keep all appointments with your doctor and do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist or doctor any questions you have about refilling your prescription. Inform your physician about all other drugs you use. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to Pentoxifylline, or if you are allergic to theophylline or caffeine.

You should not use Trental Pentoxifylline if you have recently had any type of bleeding in your brain or the retina of your eye, as well as if you are breastfeeding a baby. Tell your doctor if you're having chest pain, high blood pressure, kidney disease, a heart rhythm disorder, a stomach or intestinal ulcer, or if you have recently had surgery.

Store Trental Generic in a tightly closed container, and out of reach of children. Keep the drug at room temperature and away from excess moisture and heat.

Instructions on Taking

The risks of using the drug must be compared against the good it will do. It is a decision you and your doctor will make. It is vital that you discuss your drug use before getting a Pentoxifylline prescription. Your physician must dismiss every factor that might interfere with the drug's efficiency before you use Trental. You may need regular blood tests while using Pentoxifylline. Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

It may take few weeks for this medicine to work. If you feel that Trental Pentoxifylline is not working, do not stop taking the drug on your own. Instead, contact your doctor. You can only stop or continue with your medical treatment beyond the prescribed period if your physician tells you to do so. Pentoxifylline should be taken with meals to reduce the risk of stomach upset. Using an antacid with this medicine may also help. Do not dispose of these medications in household garbage or wastewater. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of drugs that are no longer needed or have expired.

Dosage

Read the label or package ingredients carefully or follow your doctor's prescription because the dose of Trental Pentoxifylline is different for everyone. This drug is usually taken three times per day, and you're more likely to receive the drug's full benefits if you follow your doctor's prescription carefully. The standard adult oral dosage of Pentoxifylline in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease is 1200mg daily in 3 divided doses with meals while the adult dose for intermittent claudication is 400mg orally three times a day. The tablets must be swallowed, do not attempt to chew or crush them.

In cerebrovascular diseases, the most often used dosage has been 300mg to 600mg daily and a therapy should be managed for at least eight weeks. Take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor and do not take in smaller or larger amounts, or for longer than recommended. Keep using the medication as directed and let your physician know if your symptoms do not improve after eight weeks of treatment.

If it happens you miss a dose, take the missed dosage whenever you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled one and go back to your usual dosing schedule. Do not try to double doses. However, you can contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice if you are not sure what to do after missing a dose. If you think that there is an overdose, seek emergency medical attention care right away. Be ready to show details about what you have taken, how much, and when it happened.

Side Effects

Trental Pentoxifylline can cause some side effects like any other medicines. If they do occur, the adverse effects are most likely to be minor. However, some may be severe and may require you to consult your doctor. Contact your physician if any of the following side effects persist or become bothersome while taking Pentoxifylline:

• Chest pain;
• Fluttering in your chest or pounding heartbeats;
• Red or pink urine;
• Feeling like you might pass out;
• Bloody, black, or tarry stools.

Less severe side effects may include:

• A headache;
• Dizziness;
• Blurred vision;
• Flushing redness, warmth, or tingly feeling;
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea.

Although not all of the above side effects occur, if they do happen, they may need medical attention. Some adverse effects may occur that do not require medical inspection. These side effects may go away during the treatment as your body continues to adjust to the medicine. Close monitoring will make it easier for your doctor to recognize any negative body response at its onset and provide immediate relief to cure the problem. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor for medical advice.

Interaction with Other Drugs

There are 361 drugs known to interact with Trental Pentoxifylline. 360 moderate drug interactions and one major drug interaction. Other medicines that may interact with Trental Generic include prescription drugs and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Do let your doctor know if you use illegal drugs, smoke, consume caffeinated drinks or alcohol as these may hinder the action of your medication. Pentoxifylline should not be used in patients who exhibit intolerance to this product or Theobromine and Theophylline.