Trental: Restore Healthy Blood Flow and Reduce Leg Pain
| Product dosage: 400mg | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Package (num) | Per pill | Price | Buy |
| 60 | $0.70 | $42.14 (0%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 90 | $0.61 | $63.21 $55.04 (13%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 120 | $0.57 | $84.28 $67.94 (19%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 180 | $0.51 | $126.42 $92.02 (27%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 270 | $0.49 | $189.63 $131.58 (31%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
| 360 | $0.47
Best per pill | $252.84 $168.56 (33%) | 🛒 Add to cart |
Synonyms
| |||
Trental (pentoxifylline) is a prescription vasoactive and hemorheologic agent specifically formulated to improve microcirculatory blood flow. It is indicated for the symptomatic management of patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs, a condition often associated with intermittent claudication. By enhancing the flexibility of red blood cells and reducing blood viscosity, Trental facilitates oxygen delivery to affected tissues, thereby alleviating pain and improving functional capacity during physical activity. This medication represents a key pharmacological intervention in a comprehensive treatment plan that includes lifestyle modifications.
Features
- Active Ingredient: Pentoxifylline.
- Drug Class: Hemorheologic agent; xanthine derivative.
- Available Formulations: 400 mg extended-release tablets for oral administration.
- Pharmacokinetics: Designed for prolonged release to maintain stable plasma concentrations.
- Mechanism of Action: Improves blood flow by reducing blood viscosity and enhancing erythrocyte flexibility.
Benefits
- Reduces Pain from Intermittent Claudication: Enables increased walking distance before the onset of muscle cramping and pain.
- Improves Microcirculatory Blood Flow: Enhances oxygen supply to ischemic tissues in the extremities.
- Enhances Functional Capacity: Supports greater mobility and ability to perform daily activities with less discomfort.
- Non-Invasive Pharmacological Management: Offers a systemic treatment option as part of a conservative management strategy.
- Well-Established Efficacy Profile: Backed by decades of clinical use and research in vascular medicine.
Common use
Trental is primarily used for the symptomatic relief of intermittent claudication, a condition characterized by pain, cramping, or weakness in the legs, especially the calves, that is provoked by physical activity and relieved by rest. This symptom is most commonly a manifestation of peripheral arterial disease (PAD), where atherosclerotic plaques narrow the arteries and reduce blood flow to the limbs. Trental is not intended to replace more definitive interventions like surgical revascularization or exercise therapy but is used as an adjunct to improve microcirculation and alleviate the painful symptoms associated with reduced blood flow. Its use is chronic and aimed at improving quality of life and functional status.
Dosage and direction
The standard adult dosage for Trental is one 400 mg tablet taken three times daily with meals. Administration with food is recommended to minimize potential gastrointestinal discomfort. The tablets are extended-release and must be swallowed whole; they should not be crushed, chewed, or divided, as this would alter the release profile and may increase the risk of side effects.
Therapeutic effects may not be immediately apparent. Patients should be advised that several weeks of consistent therapy may be required to observe subjective improvement in symptoms. Dosage adjustments are based on therapeutic response and tolerability. Treatment should be continued as long as symptomatic benefits are observed. Dosage in patients with renal or hepatic impairment requires careful consideration and potential adjustment; use is not recommended in patients with severe renal impairment.
Precautions
- Monitoring: Blood pressure should be monitored periodically during therapy.
- Surgery: Inform surgeons and anesthesiologists of Trental use prior to any surgical procedure, as it may affect bleeding times.
- Underlying Conditions: Use with caution in patients with a history of peptic ulcer disease, recent cerebral or retinal hemorrhage, or arrhythmias.
- Renal/Hepatic Impairment: Dosage reduction may be necessary in patients with moderate impairment. Not recommended in severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min).
- Pregnancy and Lactation: Use during pregnancy only if clearly needed. Pentoxifylline is excreted in human milk; caution is advised when administering to a nursing woman.
Contraindications
Trental is contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to pentoxifylline, other xanthine derivatives (such as caffeine, theophylline, or theobromine), or any component of the formulation. Its use is also contraindicated in patients who have previously experienced intolerance to this medication.
Possible side effect
Like all medications, Trental can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. The most common side effects are related to the gastrointestinal and central nervous systems.
- Very Common (≥1/10): Nausea, vomiting, dyspepsia, dizziness, headache.
- Common (≥1/100 to <1/10): Abdominal discomfort, bloating, diarrhea, flushing, nervousness, sleep disturbances (insomnia or drowsiness).
- Uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100): Chest pain, tachycardia, hypotension, blurred vision, agitation, confusion.
- Rare (<1/1,000): Angioedema, anaphylaxis, arrhythmia, thrombocytopenia, cholestatic hepatitis.
Patients should be instructed to report any severe or persistent side effects to their healthcare provider.
Drug interaction
Trental has the potential to interact with other medications, which may alter its effects or increase the risk of serious side effects.
- Antihypertensive Drugs: May potentiate the effect of blood pressure-lowering medications, increasing the risk of hypotension.
- Anticoagulants and Antiplatelets (e.g., Warfarin, Aspirin, Clopidogrel): May increase the risk of bleeding. Close monitoring of prothrombin time (PT/INR) or bleeding signs is advised.
- Theophylline: Concurrent use with other xanthines may lead to increased theophylline levels and potential toxicity; monitoring of theophylline levels is recommended.
- Cimetidine: This drug may increase pentoxifylline plasma levels, potentially increasing the risk of adverse effects.
Patients must provide their doctor with a complete list of all prescription, non-prescription, and herbal products they are taking.
Missed dose
If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered. However, if it is almost time for the next scheduled dose, the missed dose should be skipped, and the regular dosing schedule resumed. Patients should not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten one. Maintaining a consistent daily routine is important for the medication’s efficacy.
Overdose
Symptoms of overdose are primarily extensions of the drug’s known adverse effects and may include severe hypotension, nervousness, agitation, tremor, fever, flushing, convulsion, and somnolence. The management of overdose should be supportive and symptomatic. Treatment may include gastric lavage if ingestion was recent and activated charcoal to prevent further absorption. Hemodialysis is not effective for removing pentoxifylline from the bloodstream due to its high protein binding and extensive tissue distribution. In case of suspected overdose, immediate medical attention should be sought.
Storage
Store Trental tablets at room temperature (15°C to 30°C or 59°F to 86°F) in their original container. Protect from light, moisture, and excessive heat. Keep the medication out of reach of children and pets. Do not use tablets beyond the expiration date printed on the packaging. Properly discard any unused or expired medication through a medicine take-back program or as advised by a pharmacist.
Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or medication. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. The information provided is based on the product’s general characteristics and may not encompass all possible scenarios, individual variations, or the latest research. Only a healthcare professional can determine the appropriate therapy for a specific individual.
Reviews
- “After three months on Trental, my walking distance has noticeably improved. The calf pain that used to stop me after a block is now much more manageable. It took patience, but the results are worth it.” – John D., 68.
- “As a vascular specialist, I find Trental to be a valuable tool in our armamentarium for managing moderate intermittent claudication. It is well-tolerated by most patients and provides a meaningful benefit when combined with a structured exercise program.” – Dr. Eleanor R., MD.
- “I experienced some nausea during the first week, but it subsided after taking the pills with a larger meal. I’ve been on it for six months now and feel a definite improvement in my daily comfort.” – Margaret T., 71.
- “It’s not a miracle cure, but it takes the edge off. I can now walk through the grocery store without needing to stop and rest from the pain. A definite quality-of-life improvement.” – Robert L., 62.
