Consumer Drug Information

Trental


Generic Name: Pentoxifylline (pen-tox-IH-fi-leen)
Brand Name: Pentoxil or Trental

Trental is used for:

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Treating intermittent claudication (pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the foot, hip, thigh, or buttocks) in certain patients. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Trental is a xanthine derivative blood flow enhancer. It works by thinning the blood and improving red blood cell flexibility, causing the blood to flow more freely through the veins.

Do NOT use Trental if:

  • you are allergic to any ingredient in Trental or to methylxanthines (eg, theophylline, caffeine, theobromine)
  • you have had recent bleeding in the brain or eye

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Trental :

Some medical conditions may interact with Trental . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

  • if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
  • if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
  • if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
  • if you have ulcers, blood vessel problems, high blood pressure, kidney problems, or a history of bleeding in the eye
  • if you have recently had surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Trental . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

  • Anticoagulants (eg, warfarin) or theophyllines because the risk of side effects, such as bleeding or toxic effects, may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Trental may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.



How to use Trental :

Use Trental as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

  • Take Trental by mouth with food or milk.
  • Swallow whole. Do not break, crush, or chew before swallowing.
  • If you miss a dose of Trental , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Trental .

Important safety information:

  • Trental may cause dizziness or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Trental with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
  • Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Trental before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
  • It may take 2 to 4 weeks to notice improvement in your condition, and up to 8 weeks for maximum relief.
  • Use Trental with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
  • PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Trental while you are pregnant. Trental is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Trental .

Possible side effects of Trental :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Belching; bloating; blurred vision; diarrhea; dizziness; flushing; gas; headache; indigestion; nausea; stomach discomfort.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; irregular heartbeat; vomiting.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may also report side effects at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; dizziness; drowsiness; fever; flushing; loss of consciousness; seizures.

Proper storage of Trental :

Store Trental at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Trental out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

  • If you have any questions about Trental , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
  • Trental is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
  • If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Trental . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: November 4, 2009
Database Edition 09.4.1.002
Copyright © 2009 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

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Intermittent Claudication

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