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pentoxifylline (drug)
Pentoxifylline improves blood flow and reduces blood viscosity by increasing red blood cell flexibility and decreasing platelet aggregation.
Pentoxifylline improves blood flow and reduces blood viscosity by increasing red blood cell flexibility and decreasing platelet aggregation. Used for Intermittent claudication (peripheral arterial occlusive disease), Diabetic angiopathies, Tinnitus.
At a glance
| Generic name | pentoxifylline (drug) |
|---|---|
| Sponsor | National Taiwan University Hospital |
| Drug class | Phosphodiesterase inhibitor / Rheological agent |
| Target | Phosphodiesterase (non-selective) |
| Modality | Small molecule |
| Therapeutic area | Cardiovascular / Vascular disease |
| Phase | FDA-approved |
Mechanism of action
Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative that acts as a non-selective phosphodiesterase inhibitor, leading to increased cAMP levels in blood cells. This results in improved erythrocyte deformability, reduced blood viscosity, and decreased platelet and leukocyte aggregation, thereby enhancing microcirculation and tissue oxygenation in ischemic tissues.
Approved indications
- Intermittent claudication (peripheral arterial occlusive disease)
- Diabetic angiopathies
- Tinnitus
- Cerebrovascular disorders
Common side effects
- Nausea
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tremor
- Gastrointestinal upset
Key clinical trials
- Pneumonitis Prevention Protocol Using Pentoxifylline and α-tocopherol In Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Patients Undergoing Chemoradiation (PHASE2)
- RECLAIM: Recovering From COVID-19 Lingering Symptoms Adaptive Integrative Medicine (PHASE2, PHASE3)
- Comparison of the Efficacy of Mesotherapy and Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy in Patients With Lateral Epicondylitis (NA)
- Systemic Therapy of Open-label Prophylactic Pravastatin or Pentoxifylline/Tocopherol Prevention of Lymphedema Advancing to Eventual Fibrosis: an Interventional Registry-embedded Bayesian Randomized Trial for Radiation Sequelae (STOP4-LATE-FIBROSE) (PHASE2)
- Nephroprotective Effect of Pentoxifylline Against Cisplatin in Patients With Head and Neck Cancer (NA)
- Reversing External-beam Radiotherapy-associated Fibrosis Syndrome: an Interventional Bayesian Adaptive Randomized-controlled Orphan Drug Platform Trial for Orodental Sequelae (Reverse-fibrose) (PHASE2)
- Pentoxifylline in Patients With Ulcerative Colitis (PHASE2)
- Pentoxifylline on Inflammatory Markers in Non-Diabetic Chronic Kidney Disease Patients (NA)
Primary sources
Every claim on this page is sourced from regulatory or scientific primary sources. See our editorial policy for full methodology.
| Source | Used for |
|---|---|
| ClinicalTrials.gov | Trial enrolment, design, endpoints, results |
Competitive intelligence
For the full competitive landscape — auto-detected comparators, recent regulatory actions across the set, upcoming PDUFA, patent timeline, sponsor landscape:
- pentoxifylline (drug) CI brief — competitive landscape report
- pentoxifylline (drug) updates RSS · CI watch RSS
- National Taiwan University Hospital portfolio CI