Effects of pentoxifylline

Q: Pentoxifylline has a beneficial effect on all of the following diseases except? 

A) claudication 

B) alcoholic hepatitis 

C) septic shock 

D) venous leg ulcer

Answer: C

Pentoxifylline is a nonspecific phosphodiesterase inhibitor, which is well known for its use in patients with vascular claudication (choice A) and venous leg ulcer (choice D). It is also found to be effective in alcoholic hepatitis (choice B). Its major action is to work as a blood viscosity reducer agent and an anti-inflammatory agent. 

Pentoxifylline has no role in septic shock so far (choice C).

#pharmacology

References:

1.  Jull AB, Arroll B, Parag V, Waters J. Pentoxifylline for treating venous leg ulcers. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2012;12:CD001733.

2. Singal AK, Bataller R, Ahn J, et al. ACG Clinical Guideline: alcoholic liver disease. Am J Gastroenterol. 2018;113(2):175-194. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2017.469