Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Clinical trials were conducted using either extended-release pentoxifylline tablets for up to 60 weeks or immediate-release pentoxifylline capsules for up to 24 weeks.
Dosage ranges in the tablet studies were 400 mg bid to tid and in the capsule studies, 200 to 400 mg tid.
The table summarizes the incidence (in percent) of adverse reactions considered drug related, as well as the numbers of patients who received extended-release pentoxifylline tablets, immediate-release pentoxifylline capsules, or the corresponding placebos.
The incidence of adverse reactions was higher in the capsule studies (where dose related increases were seen in digestive and nervous system side effects) than in the tablet studies.
Studies with the capsule include domestic experience, whereas studies with the extended-release tablets were conducted outside the U.S.
The table indicates that in the tablet studies few patients discontinued because of adverse effects.
INCIDENCE (%) OF SIDE EFFECTS Extended-Release Tables Immediate-Release Capsules Commercially Available Used Only For Controlled Clinical Trials Pentoxifylline Placebo Pentoxifylline Placebo (Number of Patients at Risk) (321) (128) (177) (138) Discontinued for Side Effect 3.1 0 9.6 7.2 CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM Angina/Chest Pain 0.3 - 1.1 2.2 Arrhythmia/Palpitation - - 1.7 0.7 Flushing - - 2.3 0.7 DIGESTIVE SYSTEM Abdominal Discomfort - - 4.0 1.4 Belching/Flatus/Bloating 0.6 - 9.0 3.6 Diarrhea - - 3.4 2.9 Dyspepsia 2.8 4.7 9.6 2.9 Nausea 2.2 0.8 28.8 8.7 Vomiting 1.2 - 4.5 0.7 NERVOUS SYSTEM Agitation/Nervousness - - 1.7 0.7 Dizziness 1.9 3.1 11.9 4.3 Drowsiness - - 1.1 5.8 Headache 1.2 1.6 6.2 5.8 Insomnia - - 2.3 2.2 Tremor 0.3 0.8 - - Blurred Vision - - 2.3 1.4 Pentoxifylline has been marketed in Europe and elsewhere since
In addition to the above symptoms, the following have been reported spontaneously since marketing or occurred in other clinical trials with an incidence of less than 1%;
the causal relationship was uncertain: Cardiovascular - dyspnea, edema, hypotension.
Digestive - anorexia, cholecystitis, constipation, dry mouth/thirst.
Like all medications, Pentoxifylline can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: