Efficacy and Safety of Pentoxifylline in Geriatric Patients with Intermittent Claudication

Abstract

The effects of pentoxifylline on intermittent claudication were evaluated at a dose of 1200 mg/day in an open-label twelve-week study on geriatric patients with chronic occlusive arterial disease (COAD). Standardized treadmill testing and clinical signs and symptoms of COAD were followed up before and during drug administration. Twenty-four subjects with a mean age of 73.5 years, capa ble of walking between 20 and 200 meters on the treadmill, were entered into the trial; 22 participated for eight weeks and 19 completed the study in terms of treadmill walking distance measurements at 12 weeks. The mean walking dis tance for all patients was increased 111% over baseline at week 12. Thirteen subjects were considered drug responders ( ≥ 50% increase in treadmill walking distance) and 9 were considered nonresponders (<50% increase). Improve ments in clinical signs and symptoms of COAD were noted. Decreases in ele vated systemic systolic pressures (but not diastolic) were unexpectedly observed in many drug responders. Seven of 19 males reported sexual function improve ments while receiving pentoxifylline. Fourteen (58%) of the 24 subjects reported mild side effects of dyspepsia, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, headache, or insom nia; no subjects were withdrawn from the study because of side effects. In sum mary, pentoxifylline improved function and symptoms in 13 of 22 geriatric patients with intermittent claudication; the drug was safe and well tolerated at the usual dosage in this geriatric patient population.