Pentoxifylline (PTX)

Pentoxifylline is a xanthine derivative.Its primary use in medicine is in treating the symptoms of intermittent claudication resulting from peripheral artery disease. This is its only FDA, MHRA and TGA-labelled indication. Co-administration of pentoxifylline and sodium thiopental may cause death by acute pulmonary edema in rats. This drug is passed into the breast milk. Animal studies have shown no evidence of teratogenicity at high doses. Like other methylated xanthine derivatives, pentoxifylline is a competitive nonselective phosphodiesterase inhibitor which raises intracellular cAMP, activates PKA, inhibits TNF and leukotriene synthesis, and reduces inflammation and innate immunity. In addition, pentoxifylline improves red blood cell deformability, reduces blood viscosity and decreases the potential for platelet aggregation and thrombus formation. Pentoxifylline is also an antagonist at adenosine 2 receptors.