How many times per day is Trental (Pentoxifylline) taken?

From the Guidelines

Trental (Pentoxifylline) should be taken 400 mg orally three times per day. This dosing regimen is based on the most recent and highest quality evidence available, which recommends pentoxifylline as a second-line alternative therapy to cilostazol to improve walking distance in patients with intermittent claudication 1.

The medication works by improving blood flow through narrowed blood vessels by making red blood cells more flexible and reducing blood viscosity, which helps in conditions like intermittent claudication (leg pain during walking due to poor circulation).

• It's essential to take Trental with food to reduce stomach upset and to space the doses evenly throughout the day for consistent blood levels of the medication.
• Patients should take the medication consistently at the same times each day and should not crush or chew the tablets, as Trental is usually formulated as an extended-release tablet.
• If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as remembered, unless it's almost time for the next dose. The clinical effectiveness of pentoxifylline as therapy for claudication is marginal and not well established, but it may still be considered for patients with intermittent claudication 1.

In terms of side effects, pentoxifylline has been associated with sore throat, dyspepsia, nausea, and diarrhea, but no life-threatening side effects have been reported 1.

Overall, the recommended dosing regimen of 400 mg orally three times per day is the most appropriate for patients taking Trental (Pentoxifylline) for intermittent claudication, based on the available evidence 1.

From the FDA Drug Label

The usual dosage of pentoxifylline in extended-release tablet form is one tablet (400 mg) three times a day with meals. The recommended dosage of Trental (Pentoxifylline) is three times a day 2.

• The dosage can be lowered to twice a day if patients develop side effects.
• In patients with severe renal impairment, the dose is reduced to once a day.

From the Research

Dosage of Trental (Pentoxifylline)

• The recommended dose of Trental (Pentoxifylline) is 400 mg three times daily with meals 3, 4, 5, 6.
• This dosage is used for the treatment of intermittent claudication, a condition characterized by pain in the legs during walking due to poor blood flow 3, 7, 5, 6.
• The dosage of 400 mg three times daily is also used for other conditions, such as peripheral chronic occlusive arterial disease 5, 6.
• It is essential to take Trental (Pentoxifylline) with meals to ensure optimal absorption and minimize potential side effects 3, 4, 7.

Administration Frequency

• Trental (Pentoxifylline) is typically taken three times a day 3, 4, 7, 5, 6.
• The administration frequency may vary depending on the specific condition being treated and the patient's response to the medication 7.

Clinical Evidence

• Studies have shown that Trental (Pentoxifylline) is effective in increasing walking distance and reducing symptoms of intermittent claudication 3, 7, 5, 6.
• The medication has also been shown to be well-tolerated with minimal side effects 5, 6.