What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Pentoxifylline:
Please note that you cannot take pentoxifylline if you have recently hemorrhaged (bled) in the eye or brain, or if you have an allergy to caffeine, theophylline (Theo-Dur®, Theo-Bid®), or theobromine.
Tell your doctor if you have an ulcer disease (stomach or duodenal ulcer), have recently had any type of surgery (including dental), have recently had a bleeding disorder, or have any type of liver disease. You may not be able to take pentoxifylline, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
Please inform your doctor if you are taking warfarin (Coumadin®). Pentoxifylline may increase the effects of anticoagulants such as warfarin, which may result in bleeding.
Theophylline (Theo-Dur®, Theo-Bid®, Theolair®, Theochron®, Elixophyllin®, Slo-Phyllin®, others), aminophylline (Phyllocontin®, Truphylline®), dyphylline (Lufyllin®, Dylix®, Dilor®, Neothylline®), and oxtriphylline (Choledyl®) may cause dangerous side effects if taken at the same time as pentoxifylline. Your dosage of these drugs may have to be reduced or blood levels closely monitored. Talk to your doctor if you are currently taking any of these medicines.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with pentoxifylline. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking or using any other prescription or over-the-counter medicines.
Pentoxifylline is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether pentoxifylline will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
Moreover, pentoxifylline passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Additionally, tobacco may worsen your condition or decrease the beneficial effects of pentoxifylline by narrowing your blood vessels. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you use tobacco.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Dosage and using this medicine
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?