Pentoxifylline
- Methyl xanthine-derivative, non-specific phosphodiesterase inhibitor
- Half-life 4-6 h
- Extensive metabolism in liver
- Excreted in urine
- Pregnancy Category C
- Oral
- 400 mg 3-4 times a day
- Decrease viscosity in small vessels
- Increase erythrocyte & leukocyte deformability
- Inhibits neutrophil
- Decrease platelet aggregation & activation
- Tumor necrosis factor (TNF)- alpha inhibitor
Off-label
- Raynaud phenomenon
- Livedoid vasculopathy
- Necrobiosis lipoidica
- Venous insufficiency with ulcers
- Oral aphthosis
- Pigmented purpuric dermatosis
- Intolerance of methyl xanthine derivatives (caffeine, theophylline)
- Recent cerebral / retinal hemorrhage
- Nausea
- Gastrointestinal symptoms
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Substrate of CYP1A2 (major)
- Decrease dose if renal dysfunction
- Decrease dose if hepatic impairment
- 2-4 months before maximum therapeutic effect
- For venous stasis ulcer, use in combination with compression stockings