Health Benefits of Pentoxifylline

Pentoxifylline is a drug used in the management of the peripheral vascular disease. It is a xanthine derivative. Pentoxifylline increases red blood cell flexibility by increasing erythrocyte ATP and cyclic nucleotide levels. It reduces the viscosity of blood by decreasing erythrocyte aggregation and stimulating fibrinolysis to reduce plasma fibrinogen concentrations. All these effects enhance the ability of blood to flow through peripheral vessels (hemorheological action). It is a FDA approved drug for intermittent claudication, which causes pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the arms or legs). Besides its use for treating intermittent claudication, it has been found to have many off-label uses as well.

Off-label uses of Pentoxifylline:

Pentoxifylline (PTX) is now known to treat - "off-label" - kidney, liver, heart, & lung disorders - bone, joint, brain, & pain disorders - fibrotic, skin, & radiation-induced disorders - blood cell, pancreatic, & intestinal disorders - muscle, cancerous, & infectious disorders. Off-label use of PTX is both widespread and growing - with most of the uses relating to enhancement of blood flow or to reduction of inflammation. 

Benefit in alcoholic hepatitis was shown, with some studies demonstrating a reduction in risk of hepatorenal syndrome. For in vitro fertilization, Pentoxifylline has been used to improve sperm quality and motility and as safe oral drug in the treatment of male infertility and erectile dysfunction.

In diabetic patients, it can be used in the supportive treatment of distal diabetic neuropathy, where it can be added, for example, to Thioctic acid or Gabapentin. Theoretically, it can (among other things) act prophylactically against ulcerative changes of the lower limbs associated with chronically decompensated diabetes. Patients with measurable impairment in arterial supply are more likely to benefit from adjunctive treatment with pentoxifylline.

Pentoxifylline has also shown to increase cerebral blood flow and is not associated with "intracerebral steal" in patients with cerebrovascular disease.

Pentoxifylline and Erectile Dysfunction:

Studies have shown that Pentoxifylline was well tolerated and could increase penile arterial inflow, shown objectively as an increase in Peak Systolic Velocities (PSV) on penile duplex ultrasonography. These findings should encourage further studies of the efficacy of pentoxifylline in the treatment of impotence. Pentoxifylline along with Ivabradine, a drug used for heart rate reduction, could help patients with Organic Erectile Dysfunction, as an alternative to PDE5 inhibitors like Sildenafil (Viagra), Tadalafil, etc. If you are a hypertensive patient suffering from ED, and taking Beta-blockers, Nebivolol would be a better choice, since Nebivolol is a beta blocker with vasodilating properties mediated through endothelial release of nitric oxide which facilitates penile erection. Thus, Nebivolol may offer an advantage over other beta blockers in the patients with hypertension and ED.

CAUTION: Pentoxifylline, Ivabradine and Nebivolol are prescription drugs - only available on prescription of a Registered Medicinal Practitioner, so do not try to self-medicate with them.