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Trental for Leg Cramps and More
Trental (Pentoxifylline SR) is a class of drug called a hemorrheologic agents. Trental (Pentoxifylline SR) is a drug that lowers the stickiness or viscosity of the blood, therefore allowing it to flow more easily through narrowed arteries. It helps relieve things like leg cramps and is also prescribed for dementia, stroke, nerve problems caused by diabetes, Raynauds syndrome, and circulatory problems caused by diabetes. If is also used to increase sperm motility and impotence in men. It is most commonly used to improve the symptoms of blood flow problems in the arms or legs (intermittent claudication due to occlusive artery disease).
This medication should be taken with food up to three times a day as prescribed by your doctor. Swallow the medication whole, do not crush or chew it. Doing so will release too much of the drug at once. Take this medication regularly as ordered to get the most from it. Continue to take it even if you feel better. Improvement in symptoms should happen in two to four weeks but it can take up to eight weeks to get the full benefits from the drug. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember but if it is time for your next dose skip the one you missed and go back on your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at once. Store it at room temperature away from light and heat.
The side effects of Trental (Pentoxifylline SR) are not the usual drug side effects that you hear about for many medication. Trentals side effects include allergic reaction, anxiety, depression, constipation, pinkeye, confusion, chest pain, brittle fingernails, blurred vision, blind spots in vision, bad taste in the mouth, rash, nosebleeds, itching laryngitis, seizures, tremor, and weight changes.
Do not take Trental (Pentoxifylline SR) with certain other drugs such as blood pressure medications (Vasotec and Cardizem SR), blood thinning drugs (Coumadin), clot inhibitors (Persantine), Theophylline and ulcer medications (Tagamet). Do not take it if you are pregnant as it is not know if it causes any harm to the fetus. It is known that it crosses into breast milk so could affect a nursing baby.
Trental’s effect will be seen in two to four weeks after you start taking it and may take longer. It is usually prescribed for at least eight weeks. Symptoms of an overdose include low blood pressure, sleepiness, flushing, fever, convulsions, agitation and loss of consciousness.