How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient pentoxifylline (previously known as oxpentifylline in the UK). Pentoxifylline works by increasing the supply of oxygen to the tissues. It does this by causing the blood vessels to widen, resulting in increased blood supply. It also has effects on the blood cells, which results in a thinning of the blood, allowing it to pass more easily through the blood vessels.Both these effects are useful in peripheral vascular disease, where the blood vessels in the extremities are narrowed. This medicine reduces the pain of peripheral vascular disease by increasing the blood flow and delivery of oxygen to the tissues.

What is it used for?

• Narrowing of blood vessels in the extremities (peripheral vascular disease)

Use with caution in

• Decreased kidney function
• Low blood pressure (hypotension)
• Severe coronary artery disease
• Severely decreased liver function

Not to be used in

• Allergy to other medicines in this class, eg theophylline
• Bleeding in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage)
• Children
• Extensive bleeding in the eye (extensive retinal haemorrhage)
• Pregnancy
• Severe disturbance to the normal rhythm of the heart (severe arrhythmias)
• The period immediately following a heart attack (acute phase - myocardial infarction)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• The safety of this medicine during pregnancy has not been established. The manufacturer therefore advises that it should be avoided during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
• This medicine passes into breast milk in small amounts. The effect of this on the breastfed baby is unknown, therefore this medicine should be used with caution in breastfeeding mothers. Discuss with your doctor.

Label warnings

• Take this medication with or after food.
• This medication is to be swallowed whole, not chewed.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

• Headache
• Rash
• Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)
• Disturbed sleep
• Agitation
• Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
• Dizziness
• Flushing
• Chest pain (angina)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

There is an increased risk of bleeding if this medicine is taken with ketorolac and these two medicines should not be used together.This medicine may increase the blood level of theophylline.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredients