Trental (Oxpentifylline) 400

Trental general information

What is Trental used for?

Trental tablets 400mg are used to treat a variety of conditions caused by poor circulation, including peripheral artery disease (also known as peripheral occlusive vascular disease), which is when the large arteries in the arms and legs become obstructed or partially blocked. This blockage is usually due to atherosclerosis (cholesterol deposition in the artery wall), inflammatory processes, thrombus formation (blood clot) in the artery wall, or an embolism (a blockage caused by a blood clot that has travelled from another location). Arterial obstruction can cause ulcers or even gangrene and can be a symptom of diabetes. Decreased blood flow in the affected limb can also cause pain, weakness, numbness, or muscle cramps (claudication). Trental tablets 400mg are also used to treat circulatory disorders in the eyes and ears, where the blood vessels have degenerated and can lead to impairment of sight and hearing. Trental 400 Increases the blood supply which helps relieve symptoms of peripheral occlusive vascular disease.

How does Trental work?

Trental tablets 400mg contain oxpentifylline, a methylated xanthine derivative that acts as a competitive nonselective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase, an enzyme that regulates the production of chemicals used as intracellular messengers; it is also a nonselective adenosine receptor antagonist, which blocks the action of adenosine, a chemical that has a regulatory function at the cellular level in processes like inflammation. Oxpentifylline in Trental 400 has several actions, including direct effects on the blood vessel wall by blocking the adenosine receptor and causing blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation). This help improve blood circulation in people with peripheral arterial disease by increasing blood flow through the smaller vessels and thereby allowing more oxygen to get to peripheral tissues in the extremities such as in the hands and feet. Inhibition of phosphodiesterase can prevent the formation of chemicals like leukotrienes and TNF-alpha that promote inflammation and can cause blood to clot more easily and blood vessels to constrict or narrow (vasoconstriction). This action of oxpentifylline in Trental 400 thereby decreases the risk of thrombus formation (blood clot that forms by platelet aggregation). It is also thought that oxpentifylline in Trental 400 increases red blood cell deformability which helps them pass more easily through constricted blood vessels, thereby decreasing the viscosity of blood, which is a measure of resistance to blood flow through the blood vessels. Another possible action of oxpentifylline in Trental 400 is lowering the concentration of blood fibrinogen, a blood protein that activates the clotting process. The combined actions of Trental 400 promote blood flow through peripheral blood vessels and oxygen delivery to the tissues, which helps reduce the pain and tissue damage associated with peripheral artery disease.

What does Trental contain?

Trental tablets 400mg contain the active ingredient oxpentifylline, used to improve blood flow in peripheral artery disease. They also contain hydroxyethylcellulose, povidone, talc- purified, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, macrogol 8000, erthyrosine.

Treating peripheral artery disease with Trental

Trental tablets 400mg contain oxpentifylline that is used to peripheral artery disease, which is when the large arteries in the arms and legs become obstructed or partially blocked. Oxpentifylline in Trental 400 has several actions, including direct effects on the blood vessel wall causing blood vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation). This helps improve blood circulation in people with peripheral arterial disease by increasing blood flow through the smaller vessels and thereby allowing more oxygen to get to peripheral tissues in the extremities such as in the hands and feet. Trental 400 also prevents the formation of chemicals like leukotrienes and TNF-alpha that promote inflammation and can cause blood to clot more easily and blood vessels to constrict or narrow (vasoconstriction). This action of oxpentifylline in Trental 400 thereby decreases the risk of thrombus formation (blood clot that forms by platelet aggregation). It is also thought that oxpentifylline in Trental 400 increases red blood cell deformability which helps them pass more easily through constricted blood vessels, thereby decreasing the viscosity of blood, which is a measure of resistance to blood flow through the blood vessels. Another possible action of oxpentifylline in Trental 400 is lowering the concentration of blood fibrinogen, a blood protein that activates the clotting process. The combined actions of Trental 400 promote blood flow through peripheral blood vessels and oxygen delivery to the tissues, which helps reduce the pain and tissue damage associated with peripheral arterial disease.

What are the side effects of Trental?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Trental include: gastrointestinal upsets (nausea, vomiting, indigestion, dyspepsia, bloating, abdominal pain and diarrhoea), dizziness, headache, insomnia, drowsiness, tremor, rash.

When should Trental not be used?

You should not use Trental 400 if you:

• are allergic to oxpentifylline or methylxanthines, such as caffeine and theophylline or any ingredients in Trental
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have bleeding problems like retinal or cerebral haemorrhage
• have heart problems, such as a recent heart attack
• have peptic ulcers or a recent history of peptic ulcers
• are taking medicines that interact with Trental, including: other xanthines like theophylline for asthma, antihypertensives like beta-blockers and diuretics, digitalis for heart failure, antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants; platelet aggregation inhibitors

What medications interact with Trental?

Several medications interact with Trental 400 and should either not be taken while you are taking Trental or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction or increased side effects with Trental: other xanthines like theophylline for asthma, digitalis and antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants; platelet aggregation inhibitors
• Drugs that are affected by Trental: antihypertensives like beta-blockers and diuretics

How should Trental be taken?

You should take your Trental tablets 400mg with a glass of water, with or without food, 3 times daily, however, your doctor may recommend a different dose depending on how you respond and whether you experience side effects. You should begin to see a benefit within 2-4 weeks, but should continue to take your Trental 400 for as long as recommended by your doctor or for at least 8 weeks.

How long should you take Trental?

You should begin to see a benefit within 2-4 weeks, but should continue to take your Trental 400 for as long as recommended by your doctor or for at least 8 weeks.

Missed dose of Trental

If you miss a dose of Trental 400 take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Trental be stored?

You should store your Trental 400 below 25°C in a cool dry place.