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Side Effects of Prescription Trental

Trental is a brand name for the prescription medication called pentoxifylline. Although effective for treating leg pain due to poor circulation, Trental poses a risk for side effects in some patients.

  1. Side Effects

    • Common side effects of Trental include abdominal discomfort, bloating, flatulence, belching, diarrhea, nausea, indigestion, vomiting, dizziness and headaches.

    Significance

    • During the Food and Drug Administration's clinical trials published by RxList, 3.1 percent of patients who took the extended-release version of Trental and 9.6 percent of participants who used the immediate-release form of Trental discontinued use of the drug due to its side effects.

    Drug Interactions

    • When taken with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, Trental poses a risk for prolonged bleeding, explains RxList. Trental poses an increased risk of toxic effects from the drug theophylline (used for lung disease) when the two medications are taken together.

    Warnings

    • Infrequently, Trental causes serious anaphylactic allergic reactions in patients, and it can cause liver dysfunction that leads to hepatitis and jaundice. Rarely, the use of Trental contributes to the onset of leukemia, warns RxList.

    Contraindications

    • Because its effects on fetal development are unknown, doctors rarely prescribe Trental for pregnant women. If you have a history kidney or liver disease, a recent stroke or prolonged bleeding after an injury, it may not be safe for you to take Trental, according to the Mayo Clinic.

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