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Pentoxifylline

Pentomer Retard, Pentoxi Retard, Trental, Vasonit · ATC code C04AD03

Also known as: Pentoxifyllin, Pentoksifilin · Brand names: Pentomer Retard, Pentoxi Retard, Trental, Vasonit, Pentoxifylline Ratiopharm, Iskemoks, Onpent, Pentox SR, Trental CR, Trentilin, Vasoplan

Key facts
Active substance
Pentoxifylline
ATC code
C04AD03
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Key facts

Pentoxifylline is a methylxanthine derivative. Per the US prescribing information, its extended-release tablets are used for intermittent claudication due to chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs.

What it is used for

  • Intermittent claudication on the basis of chronic occlusive arterial disease of the limbs
  • Can improve function and symptoms but does not replace definitive therapy such as surgical bypass or removal of arterial obstructions

Dosing

  • Usually one extended-release tablet (400 mg) three times a day with meals
  • Effect may be seen within 2 to 4 weeks; continue treatment for at least 8 weeks
  • If digestive or CNS side effects develop, lower to one tablet twice a day (800 mg/day); discontinue if they persist
  • Severe renal impairment (creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min): 400 mg once a day; no dosing information for hepatic impairment

Contraindications

  • Recent cerebral and/or retinal hemorrhage
  • Previous intolerance to pentoxifylline or methylxanthines such as caffeine, theophylline and theobromine

Important warnings

  • Discontinue at the first sign of an anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction
  • Bleeding reported with or without NSAIDs, anticoagulants or platelet aggregation inhibitors; check hematocrit/hemoglobin in patients at risk of hemorrhage (e.g. recent surgery, peptic ulceration)
  • Increased exposure in hepatic or renal impairment

Side effects

  • Extended-release tablets: dyspepsia 2.8%, nausea 2.2%, dizziness 1.9%, vomiting 1.2%, headache 1.2%; discontinuation for side effects 3.1%
  • Digestive and CNS side effects are dose related
  • Less often: dyspnea, edema, hypotension

Interactions

  • Vitamin K antagonists: increased prothrombin time; monitor anticoagulant activity
  • Theophylline: increased theophylline levels and toxicity; monitor levels
  • Strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g. ciprofloxacin, fluvoxamine) may increase pentoxifylline exposure

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • No adequate studies in pregnant women; use only if the potential benefit justifies the risk to the fetus
  • Excreted in human milk; discontinue nursing or the drug

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

Full official text →

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Austria

  • Pentomer RetardTeva B.V · 1 register entry
  • Pentoxi RetardGenericon Pharma Gesellschaft M.B.H. · 1 register entry
  • TrentalNeuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh · 2 register entries
  • VasonitG.L. Pharma Gmbh · 2 register entries

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Germany

  • Pentoxifyllin1 A Pharma Gmbh, Ratiopharm Gmbh, Aliud Pharma Gmbh, Stadapharm Gmbh · 4 register entries
  • Pentoxifylline RatiopharmRatiopharm Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • TrentalNeuraxpharm Arzneimittel Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Turkey

  • IskemoksSANOVEL İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • OnpentONFARMA İLAÇ SAN. LTD. ŞTİ. · 1 register entry
  • Pentox SRABDİ İBRAHİM İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 1 register entry
  • Trental CRAVİXA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries
  • TrentilinSANTA FARMA İLAÇ SAN. A.Ş. · 3 register entries
  • VasoplanGENSENTA İLAÇ SANAYİ VE TİC. A.Ş. · 2 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 21 more European countries
Belgium
Torental
Bulgaria
Агапурин, Вазонит, Пентилин, Пентоксифилин Дансон, Пентоксифилин Чайкафарма, Пентохексал
Croatia
Pentilin, Trental
Cyprus
Angiopent Retard, Tarοntal
Czechia
Agapurin, Pentomer Retard
Estonia
Pentilin, Vasonit Retard
France
Pentoxifylline Lp Biogaran, Pentoxifylline Lp Eg
Greece
Tarontal
Hungary
Chinotal, Pentoxyl, Trental
Italy
Trental
Latvia
Pentilin, Polfilin, Vasonit Retard
Lithuania
Agapurin, Pentilin, Polfilin, Trental, Vasonit Retard
Luxembourg
Pentoxifylline Ratiopharm, Torental
Netherlands
Trental
Norway
Trental
Poland
Agapurin, Apo-Pentox Sr, Pentohexal, Polfilin
Portugal
Pentoxifilina Generis, Trental
Romania
Angiopent Retard, Pentoxi Retard, Pentoxifilin Terapia, Pentoxifilină Retard Lph, Pentoxifilină Sr Zentiva
Slovakia
Agapurin, Pentoxifyllinum Bbp
Slovenia
Pentilin
Spain
Elorgan, Hemovás, Pentofixilina Alter, Pentoxifilina Alter, Pentoxifilina Sejmet, Pentoxifilina Vir

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Pentoxifylline (ANI Pharmaceuticals, Inc.) – Prescribing Information, 2025-11-07. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=9ca79c97-e4e5-4297-85eb-7a9b3d8083b5
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  4. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.