Pentoxifylline in the treatment of intermittent claudication of the lower limbs

Pentoxifylline, a methyl xanthine analogue was evaluated for treatment of intermittent claudication in a double-blind placebo controlled parallel group study in seven centers in the United States. Tests were performed on 128 cases, including 42 who took pentoxifylline (600 mg by mouth daily, increased stepwise to 1200 mg daily at the end of one month) and 40 who took placebo for 24 weeks. Twenty-five patients on pentoxifylline and 21 on placebo were dropped from the study for reasons unrelated to the drug. Walking ability on a treadmill was increased significantly after 2 weeks and remained so throughout the study in the pentoxifylline vs. the placebo group. Ability to walk until first experiencing intermittent claudication was a more sensitive index than the maximum ability to walk. The drug did not cause changes in blood pressure or in heart rate. Other than mild nausea, there were no significant side effects.