| Indication | For the treatment of patients with intermittent lameness or immobility arising from chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs. |
| Pharmacodynamics | Pentoxifylline, a synthetic dimethylxanthine derivative structurally related to theophylline and caffeine, is used in the treatment of peripheral vascular diseases and in the management of cerebrovascular insufficiency, sickle cell disease, and diabetic neuropathy. |
| Mechanism of action | Pentoxifylline inhibits erythrocyte phosphodiesterase, resulting in an increase in erythrocyte cAMP activity. Subsequently, the erythrocyte membrane becomes more resistant to deformity. Along with erythrocyte activity, pentoxifylline also decreases blood viscosity by reducing plasma fibrinogen concentrations and increasing fibrinolytic activity. It is also a non selective adenosine receptor antagonist. |
| Absorption | Not Available |
| Volume of distribution | Not Available |
| Protein binding | 70% |
| Metabolism | Not Available |
| Route of elimination | Excretion is almost totally urinary; the main biotransformation product is Metabolite V. Essentially no parent drug is found in the urine. |
| Half life | 0.4-0.8 hours |
| Clearance | Not Available |
| Toxicity | LD50=1385 mg/kg(orally in mice) |