Trental

Intermittent Claudication, Alcoholic Liver Diseases, Peripheral Arterial Disease + 1 more

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

20 Active Studies for Trental

Treatment for

Intermittent Claudication

What is Trental

PentoxifyllineThe Generic name of this drug

Treatment SummaryPentoxifylline (PTX) is a medication used to improve the flow of blood and also help reduce inflammation. It was originally used to treat intermittent claudication, a type of leg pain in patients with peripheral arterial disease. PTX has been studied for its potential use in other medical conditions, such as osteoradionecrosis, diabetic kidney disease, and any condition associated with fibrosis. Recently, it has been suggested as a possible treatment for COVID-19-related lung complications due to its ability to regulate the production of inflammatory cytokines. Pentoxifylline has been available in Europe since 1972

Trentalis the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Trental Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Trental

Pentoxifylline

1984

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Pentoxifylline, also known as Trental, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses including Intermittent Claudication and Peripheral Arterial Disease .

Intermittent Claudication

Helps manage Intermittent Claudication

Peripheral Arterial Disease

Helps manage Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD)

Effectiveness

How Trental Affects PatientsPentoxifylline is a drug similar to theophylline and caffeine. It is commonly used to treat peripheral arterial disease (PAD), and can have anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and blood-flow regulating effects. It is important to note that people with conditions such as angina, arrhythmia, or hypotension may find pentoxifylline worsens their symptoms. Patients taking warfarin should also be monitored more frequently. Additionally, those with risk factors for bleeding, such as retinal bleeding, peptic ulcers, or recent surgery, should have their blood checked regularly for

How Trental works in the bodyPentoxifylline works by increasing the flexibility of red blood cells, reducing fibrinogen levels in the plasma, and stopping white blood cells from sticking to one another. It also has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It is believed that pentoxifylline increases the response of an adenosine receptor to adenosine, leading to increased levels of a molecule called cAMP. This cAMP stops the production of pro-inflammatory molecules, increases the production of anti-inflammatory molecules, and reduces the production of molecules that make blood more viscous. Pentoxifylline metabolites have also been shown to reduce superoxide

When to interrupt dosage

The prescribed dosage of Trental is contingent upon the identified condition, including Venous Leg Ulcer (VLU), Alcoholic Liver Diseases and Peripheral Arterial Disease. The measure of dosage fluctuates, in line with the administration technique (e.g. Tablet, film coated, extended release or Gel - Topical) noted in the following table.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Peripheral Arterial Disease

400.0 mg, , 1.0 mg/mg, 0.02 mg/mg, 0.005 mg/mg

, Oral, Tablet, extended release, Tablet, extended release - Oral, Tablet, film coated, extended release, Tablet, film coated, extended release - Oral, Topical, Kit, Kit - Topical, Tablet, film coated, Tablet, film coated - Oral, Solution, Solution - Topical, Gel, Gel - Topical

Venous Leg Ulcer (VLU)

400.0 mg, , 1.0 mg/mg, 0.02 mg/mg, 0.005 mg/mg

Intermittent Claudication

400.0 mg, , 1.0 mg/mg, 0.02 mg/mg, 0.005 mg/mg

Alcoholic Liver Diseases

400.0 mg, , 1.0 mg/mg, 0.02 mg/mg, 0.005 mg/mg

Warnings

Trental has five counter-indications and should not be administered in combination with the situations outlined in the table below.Trental Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Food Intolerance

Do Not Combine

methylxanthine

Do Not Combine

Cerebral Hemorrhage

Do Not Combine

Retinal Hemorrhage

Do Not Combine

Severe Hypersensitivity Reactions

Do Not Combine

Pentoxifylline may interact with Pulse Frequency

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Trental.

Common Trental Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abrocitinib

Major

The risk or severity of bleeding and thrombocytopenia can be increased when Pentoxifylline is combined with Abrocitinib.

Riociguat

Major

Pentoxifylline may increase the hypotensive activities of Riociguat.

Abacavir

Minor

Pentoxifylline may decrease the excretion rate of Abacavir which could result in a higher serum level.

Acebutolol

Minor

Pentoxifylline may increase the hypotensive activities of Acebutolol.

Aclidinium

Minor

Pentoxifylline may decrease the excretion rate of Aclidinium which could result in a higher serum level.

Trental Toxicity & Overdose RiskTaking too much pentoxifylline can cause agitation, fever, redness of the skin, low blood pressure, seizures, drowsiness, and unconsciousness. Treatment should focus on keeping breathing and blood pressure normal, and controlling convulsions. Activated charcoal may be helpful in absorbing the excess drug in the body. People have recovered from overdoses even when taking up to 80 mg/kg.

Trental Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Trental?

68 active clinical trials are underway to assess the potential of Trental in alleviating Venous Leg Ulcer (VLU), Intermittent Claudication and Alcoholic Liver Diseases.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Intermittent Claudication

7 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase 2

Alcoholic Liver Diseases

3 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2

Peripheral Arterial Disease

41 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 3, Phase 2, Phase 1, Early Phase 1

Venous Leg Ulcer (VLU)

17 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 2, Phase 3, Phase 4

Trental Reviews: What are patients saying about Trental?

5Patient Review

5/20/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

For those of you looking for info on Trental, I checked into this for my mom. The drug is backordered, but I found nothing which stated from Sanofi-Aventis or the FDA that the drug was discontinued.

5Patient Review

6/16/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

For three years, this drug has provided great relief from my leg cramping. However, over the last few months, pharmacies have been unable to get it from the manufacturer due to backorders. This is terrible because I rely on this medication to feel better. I don't understand what's going on with the manufacturer that they're not supplying this drug to pharmacies.

5Patient Review

7/5/2012

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been taking Trental for years with no noticeable side effects. I was recently told by my pharmacist that it had been discontinued, so they gave me Pentoxifylline instead. However, after a few days of taking the new medication, I started getting headaches so I stopped.

5Patient Review

7/8/2012

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been taking this medication for a while now and I've noticed my nails have become brittle.

5Patient Review

7/2/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been taking this medication for over two decades with great results.

5Patient Review

4/23/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

5Patient Review

12/10/2012

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I had awful leg cramps and this treatment completely fixed that issue.

4.7Patient Review

6/11/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been taking this medication for 15 years now with no adverse effects.

4.7Patient Review

1/11/2012

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been taking Trental for over a decade now and have never experienced any negative side effects that I'm aware of. Recently though, it hasn't been working as well as it used to. I'm on the highest dose possible, so I don't know if maybe I need to get more exercise or not. All I know is that at night, I often get terrible cramping and pain. And for those of you who are worried about it disappearing from the market, don't worry. It just gets scarce from time to time but it always comes back eventually.

4.3Patient Review

4/24/2011

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I sometimes experience severe dizziness with this medication.

4.3Patient Review

6/21/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been told that Trental and Pentoxifylline are no longer being manufactured. If this is true, it's a real shame because this medication actually works. I tried Plavix once and it gave me terrible pains in my legs.

4Patient Review

7/28/2012

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

Trental has been a godsend for me. I'm an 81 year old male with very poor circulation in both legs; this has caused severe cramping while walking for over 19 years. Trental helps prevent these cramps, even though I can only walk short distances. I haven't experienced any negative side effects that I know of, and simply take 3 pills with food 3 times per day.

3.7Patient Review

9/14/2015

Trental for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I just started taking Trental 400 sustained release, so I can't speak to its efficacy yet. That said, it's definitely available from Sanofi as of September 2015.

3Patient Review

5/21/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been taking this medication for 25 years to help with my scleraderma. It's cleared up the ulcers on my fingers and I really think it's a lifesaver.

2.3Patient Review

8/29/2010

Trental for Peripheral Vascular Disease

I've been feeling really agitated since I started taking this drug. I hope the side effects will go away soon.

image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about trental

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is the use of Trental 400?

"Trental 400 is a medicine used to improve circulation. It is used to treat the symptoms of a condition called chronic occlusive arterial disease, which can include lameness and pain."

Answered by AI

What is Trental used for?

"This medication works by improving blood flow in the legs and arms, which helps to decrease the muscle pain that occurs during exercise."

Answered by AI

Is Trental a blood thinner?

"Eliquis reduces the risk of stroke and systemic embolism by reducing blood clotting in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Trental and Eliquis are in different drug classes; Trental is a hemorrhagic agent and Eliquis is an anticoagulant (blood thinner)."

Answered by AI

Does Trental increase blood pressure?

"Trental (pentoxifylline) could increase the effect of antihypertensive agents. Patients taking these agents should have their blood pressure monitored and their dose of antihypertensive agents might need to be reduced."

Answered by AI