pentoxifylline

Research Excerpts

Overview

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a drug that has been shown to have multiple beneficial effects in cancer patients through its anti-inflammatory properties. It can be used as an additional therapy next to antibiotics in preterm infants.

Effects

Pentoxifylline has a "therapeutic window" when given in established sepsis. If administration is delayed until overt septic shock occurs, it may then have deleterious effects.

Pentoxifylline has broad-spectrum properties such as anti-inflammatory, anticoagulant, and antiviral effects. Has been used to treat various dermatological conditions including peripheral vascular disease, vasculitis and vasculopathies.

Actions

Pentoxifylline promotes spermatogenesis and suppressed apoptosis induced by testicular torsion-detorsion. It could increase the lymphocyte count and decrease the neutrophil count in serum, and because these changes it might alter the immune system.

Treatment

Pentoxifylline pretreatment was associated with a lower rise in serum transaminases and LDH after reperfusion. It did not modify the changes in either serum CK activity (mainly CKBB), or total bile acid concentration.

Toxicity

Pentoxifylline (PTX) can inhibit cellular TNF-alpha synthesis, also attenuates the toxic effect of T NF-alpha. The drug was safe and well tolerated at the usual dosage in this geriatric patient population.

Pharmacokinetics

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is a candidate for adjunct immunomodulatory therapy in preterm infants with late-onset sepsis (LOS) and necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) After a 100 mg intravenous infusion, the elimination half-life was prolonged in cirrhotic patients. The pharmacokinetic profiles after intranasal and intratracheal administration of pentoxifylla appear similar to those after intravenous administration.

Compound-Compound Interactions

The purpose of this study was to assess and compare the effect of fenofibrate alone or in combination with pentoxifylline on the measured biochemical parameters, inflammatory pathway and liver stiffness. Thirty-five previously treated advanced breast cancer patients received 70 cycles (median, 2 cycles/patient; range, 1-6) of oral sustained release pentoxifyinglline every 8 h.

Bioavailability

Pentoxifylline is well absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract, almost completely metabolized in the body and excreted in the urine. After oral administration of a 400 mg sustained-released tablet, absolute bioavailability of pentoxifyline increased in cirrhotic patients.

Dosage Studied

The investigation was undertaken to study the effect of the pentoxifylline retard dosage form Vasonit on ocular hemodynamics in patients with retinal vein occlusions and non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In patients with cerebrovascular disorders, open studies have shown marked overall clinical improvements in about 85% of patients.