Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pharmacy Guide
Patient leaflets and SmPCs, drug interaction checker, official dosages and NHS pharmacy opening hours — all in one place.
Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet
⚠ This medicine appears to have been discontinued
The electronic medicines compendium (emc) no longer publishes a Summary of Product Characteristics for this product, which usually means it is no longer marketed in the UK. The patient leaflet below is kept for reference, but the product may not be available.
If you were prescribed this medicine, other products containing Pentoxifylline may still be available. Do not stop your treatment — ask your pharmacist or GP what to use instead.
What it is and what it is used for
for The name of this medicine is Pentoxifylline 400mg Modified Release Tablets (called Pentoxifylline throughout this leaflet). Pentoxifylline contains a medicine called pentoxifylline. This belongs to a group of medicines called peripheral vasodilators. It works by increasing the blood flow to the arms and legs. This medicine can be used to treat:
- Peripheral vascular disease (poor circulation to the arms and legs).
- Intermittent claudication (pain on walking or at rest caused by poor circulation to the legs).
What you need to know before you take it
e Pentoxifylline Do not take this medicine if:
- You are allergic (hypersensitive) to pentoxifylline, other similar medicines such as theophylline or aminophylline or to any of the other ingredients of Pentoxifylline (listed in section 6) Signs of an allergic reaction include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
- You have heart problems or have recently had a heart attack
- You have severe palpitations (very fast and uneven heartbeats)
- You have had a stroke with bleeding in the brain (cerebral haemorrhage)
- You have had bleeding in the eye (retinal haemorrhage)
Do not take this medicine if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if:
- You feel dizzy, light-headed or faint when you stand or sit up too quickly (hypotension)
- You have problems with the blood supply to your heart caused by hardening or narrowing of the arteries
- You have liver or kidney problems If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. Other medicines and Pentoxifylline Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines you buy without a prescription, including herbal medicines. This is because this medicine can affect the way some other medicines work. Also some medicines can affect the way this medicine works. In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following: Pentoxifylline may increase the effect of the following medicines:
- Medicines for diabetes including tablets or insulin
- Medicines for high blood pressure
- Anticoagulants such as warfarin When taken with Pentoxifylline, the following medicines increase the chance of you getting side effects:
- Ketorolac used for pain relief
- Theophylline used to treat wheezing or difficulty in breathing
- Ciprofloxacin used to treat bacterial infections
- Medicines used to stop blood clots from forming
- Cimetidine used to treat heartburn and stomach ulcers Pentoxifylline with food and drink Take this medicine with or just after meals. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine. You should not take this medicine if you are pregnant. If you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine. This is because very small amounts may pass into the mothers' milk. Driving and using machines You may feel dizzy while taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines. Pentoxifylline contains sodium This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium free'.
How to take it
Pentoxifylline Always take this medicine exactly as your doctor has told you. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure. Taking this medicine
- If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor
- Take this medicine by mouth
- Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water
- Take with or just after a meal Adults including the elderly The usual starting dose is 1 tablet (400mg) three times a day. Your doctor may lower your dose to 1 tablet twice a day. Patients with kidney problems Your doctor may give you a lower dose if necessary. Use in children This medicine is not suitable for use in children. If you take more Pentoxifylline than you should If you take more tablets than you should, talk to a doctor or go to a hospital straight away. The following effects may happen: low blood pressure, feeling sleepy, fits (seizures) or uneven heartbeat. If you forget to take Pentoxifylline Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet. If you stop taking Pentoxifylline Keep taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop taking it. If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Possible side effects
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them. Stop taking this medicine and see your doctor or go to a hospital straight away if:
- If you have an allergic reaction. The signs may include: a rash, swallowing or breathing problems, swelling of your lips, face, throat or tongue
- Bleeding under the skin
- Blood in your vomit or stools (motions)
- If you develop a condition called aseptic meningitis. Signs include headache, neck stiffness, eye pain or discomfort in bright light Tell your doctor as soon as possible if you have any of the following side effects:
- You bruise more easily than usual. This could be because of a blood disorder (thrombocytopenia).
- Increased or fast heart beat (tachycardia)
- Chest pain (angina)
- Irregular heart beat (palpitations)
• •
Frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers. These could be signs of a blood problem called 'leukopenia' You get more infections than usual. This could be caused by a decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutropenia)
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects gets serious or lasts longer than a few days. Also tell them if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet:
- Feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting), diarrhoea
- Headache, feeling dizzy, light-headed or faint
- Flushing
- Feeling agitated, sleep problems
- An illness where the removal of bile from the liver is blocked (intrahepatic cholestasis). Signs include jaundice, rash or fever, and the colour of your water (urine) becomes darker
- Discomfort or bloating in the abdomen
- Rash
- Constipation
- Producing more saliva than usual Blood tests This medicine can change the levels of liver enzymes shown up in blood tests. This can mean that your liver is not working properly. Reporting of side effects If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in this leaflet. United Kingdom You can also report side effects directly via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store. By reporting side effects you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
How to store it
Pentoxifylline Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use this medicine after the expiry date which is stated on the carton after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month. Do not use this medicine if you notice your tablets are crumbling, broken or discoloured. Do not store above 25°C. Store in the original package. Do not throw away medicines via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to throw away medicines you no longer use. These measures will help to protect the environment.
Contents of the pack and other information
What this medicine contains
- Each tablet contains 400mg of the active substance, pentoxifylline
- The other ingredients are hydroxyethylcellulose, povidone, talc, magnesium stearate; film coating*: hypromellose, talc, titanium dioxide (E171), erythrosine (E127), macrogol 8000.
*commercial film-coating (Opadry 02F24006) can be used instead of single film-coating components What this medicine looks like and contents of the pack The tablets are oblong in shape and coloured pink, with "ATA" stamped on one side. The tablets are available in blister packs of 90 tablets. Marketing Authorisation Holder and Manufacturer Marketing Authorisation Holder Neuraxpharm UK Limited First Floor, Building 1410, Arlington Business Park, Theale, Reading, Berkshire RG7 4SA United Kingdom Manufacturer Neuraxpharm Pharmaceuticals S.L. Avda. de Barcelona 69, Sant Joan Despí, 08970, Barcelona, Spain This leaflet does not contain all the information about your medicine. If you have any questions or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist. This leaflet was last revised in 11/2025.
Frequently asked questions about Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet
How do I take Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet?
Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet comes as tablet containing 400mg. Always follow the dose your doctor or pharmacist has given you, and read the leaflet that comes with the medicine.
What is the active substance in Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet?
The active substance in Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet is pentoxifylline.
Are there equivalent medicines to Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet?
Medicines with the same active substance, strength and form include: Trental 400 mg Modified release Tablets. They are interchangeable only if your prescriber or pharmacist says so.
Where does this information come from?
This leaflet reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet, as published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). The version printed inside your medicine’s packaging is the one that applies to you.
Can I get Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet without a prescription?
Whether a medicine is available over the counter or on prescription only depends on its licence. Check the leaflet, or ask your pharmacist — they can tell you straight away.
About this leaflet
The text above reproduces the patient information leaflet approved for this medicine, restructured for easier reading.
- Source: electronic medicines compendium (emc), Datapharm
- Active substance: pentoxifylline
- Official document: view the original leaflet on emc →
⚕For healthcare professionals — Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC)Full SmPC: dosage, interactions, contraindications, warnings+
4.1. Therapeutic indications
Pentoxifylline is indicated in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease, including intermittent claudication and rest pain.
4.2. Posology and method of administration
Posology
Adults
The recommended initial dose is 1 tablet (400 mg) three times daily; two tablets daily may prove sufficient in some patients, particularly for maintenance therapy.
Elderly
No special dosage requirements.
Paediatric population
Pentoxifylline is not suitable for use in children.
Renal Impairment
In patients with impairment of renal function (creatinine clearance below 30ml/min) a dose reduction by approximately 30% to 50% may be necessary guided by individual tolerance.
Method of administration
Oral administration. Tablets should be taken with or immediately after meals, and swallowed whole with plenty of water.
4.3. Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s), other methylxanthines or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.
Also in patients with cerebral haemorrhage, extensive retinal haemorrhage, acute myocardial infarction and severe cardiac arrhythmias.
4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use
At the first signs of an anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reaction,
Pentoxifylline must be discontinued immediately, and a physician must be informed.
Particular careful monitoring is required:
• In patients with hypotension or severe coronary artery disease, Pentoxifylline should be used with caution, as a transient hypotensive effect is possible and, in isolated cases, might result in a reduction in coronary artery perfusion.
• In patients with impaired renal function. In patients with a creatinine clearance of less than 30 ml/min it may be necessary to reduce the daily dose of Pentoxifylline to one or two tablets to avoid accumulation. In patients with severely impaired liver function the dosage may need to be reduced.
• In patients treated concomitantly with pentoxifylline and anti-vitamin K or platelet aggregation inhibitors (see also section 4.5).
• In patients treated concomitantly with pentoxifylline and antidiabetic agents (see also section 4.5).
• In patients treated concomitantly with pentoxifylline and ciprofloxacin (see also section 4.5).
• In patients treated concomitantly with pentoxifylline and theophylline (see also section 4.5).
Excipient(s) with known effect
This medicine contains less than 1 mmol sodium (23 mg) per tablet, that is to say essentially 'sodium- free'.
4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction
High doses of Pentoxifylline injection have been shown, in rare cases, to intensify the hypoglycaemic action of insulin and oral hypoglycaemic agents. However, no effect on insulin release has been observed with Pentoxifylline following oral administration. It is recommended that patients under medication for diabetes mellitus be carefully monitored.
Post-marketing cases of increased anti-coagulant activity have been reported in patients concomitantly treated with pentoxifylline and anti-vitamin K. Monitoring of anti-coagulant activity in these patients is recommended when pentoxifylline is introduced or the dose is changed.
Pentoxifylline may potentiate the effect of anti-hypertensive agents and the dosage of the latter may need to be reduced.
Pentoxifyllineshould not be given concomitantly with ketorolac as there is increased risk of bleeding and/or prolongation of prothrombin time.
Concomitant administration of pentoxifylline and theophylline may increase theophylline levels in some patients. Therefore there may be an increase in and intensification of adverse effects of theophylline.
Concomitant administration with ciprofloxacin may increase the serum concentration of pentoxifylline in some patients. Therefore, there may be an increase in and intensification of adverse reactions associated with co-administration.
Potential additive effect with platelet aggregation inhibitors: Because of the increased risk of bleeding, the concomitant administration of a platelet aggregation inhibitor (such as clopidogrel, eptifibatide, tirofiban, epoprostenol, iloprost, abciximab, anagrelide, NSAIDs other than selective COX-2 inhibitors, acetylsalicylates (ASA/LAS), ticlopidine, dipyridamole) with pentoxifylline should be undertaken with caution.
Concomitant administration with cimetidine may increase the plasma concentration of pentoxifylline and the active metabolite, lisofylline.
4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation
Pregnancy
There is no information on the use of Pentoxifylline in pregnancy, but no untoward effects have been found in animal studies. Pentoxifylline should not be administered during pregnancy.
Breast-feeding
Pentoxifylline passes into breast milk in minute quantities. Because insufficient experience has been gained, the possible risks and benefits must be weighed before administration of Pentoxifylline to breast feeding mothers.
4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines
No effect known.
4.8. Undesirable effects
These adverse reactions have been reported in clinical trials or post-marketing.
Frequencies are unknown.
System Organ Class
Adverse Reaction
Investigations
Transaminases increased
Cardiac disorders
Arrhythmia, Tachycardia, Angina Pectoris
Blood and lymphatic system disorders
Thrombocytopenia, Leukopenia/neutropenia
Nervous system disorders
Dizziness, headache, meningitis aseptic*
Gastrointestinal disorders
Gastrointestinal disorder, Epigastric discomfort, Abdominal distension, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea, Constipation, Hypersalivation
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders
Pruritus, Erythema, Urticaria, Hot flush, Rash
Vascular disorders
Haemorrhage**, Hypotension
Immune system disorders
Anaphylactic reactions, Anaphylactoid reaction, Angioedema
Hepatobiliary disorders
Cholestasis
Psychiatric disorders
Agitation, Sleep disorder
Respiratory disorders
Bronchospasm
Description of selected adverse reactions
* Reports of aseptic meningitis were predominantly in patients with underlying connective tissue disorders
** A few very rare events of bleeding (e.g. skin, mucosa) have been reported in patients treated with Pentoxifylline with and without anticoagulants or platelet aggregation inhibitors. The serious cases are predominantly concentrated in the gastrointestinal, genitourinary, multiple site and surgical wound areas and are associated with bleeding risk factors. A causal relationship between Pentoxifylline therapy and bleeding has not been established. Thrombocytopenia has occurred in isolated cases.
Reporting of suspected adverse reactions
Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professional are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the Yellow Card Scheme at: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store.
4.9. Overdose
The treatment of overdosage should be symptomatic with particular attention to supporting the cardiovascular system.
💬 Ask about this leaflet
Ask anything about Pentoxifylline 400 mg Modified-release tablet. The assistant answers only from this leaflet — if the leaflet does not cover it, it will say so. It does not give medical advice.
Answers come from the patient leaflet published on the electronic medicines compendium (emc). They are not medical advice. Ask a pharmacist or your GP if you are unsure. For urgent help call NHS 111, or 999 in an emergency.