Pentoxifylline
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
 |
|
|
Pentoxifylline
|
|
| Systematic (IUPAC) name | |
| 3,7-Dihydro-3,7-dimethyl-1-(5-oxohexyl)-1H-purine-2,6-dione | |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS number | |
| ATC code | ? |
| PubChem | ? |
| Chemical data | |
| Formula | C13H18N4O3 |
| Mol. mass | 278.31 |
| Pharmacokinetic data | |
| Bioavailability | ? |
| Metabolism | ? |
| Half life | ? |
| Excretion | ? |
| Therapeutic considerations | |
| Pregnancy cat. |
? |
| Legal status | |
| Routes | ? |
Pentoxifylline is the International Nonproprietary Name (INN) of a drug sold by Aventis under the name Trental. Its chemical name is 1-(5-oxohexyl)-3, 7-dimethylxanthine. Pentoxifylline is a xanthine derivative. It is used to treat intermittent claudication resulting from obstructed arteries in the limbs, and vascular dementia.[1]
Pentoxifylline improves blood flow through blood vessels and therefore helps with blood circulation in the arms and legs (e.g. intermittent claudication).
It also helps prevent strokes, can be used in managing sickle cell disease and improves blood flow to the brain. Pentoxifylline has also been used to treat nausea and headaches in the mountains (high-altitude sickness).
It is best to avoid smoking, as nicotine constricts blood vessels. This drug is passed into the breast milk.
[edit] Alternate brand names
- Pentoxil (Upsher Smith)
[edit] References
- ^ (1996) European Pentoxifylline Multi-Infarct Dementia Study. Eur Neurol. 36(5):315-21. PMID 8864715
[edit] External links
 |
This pharmacology-related article is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. |
