Does Oral Pentoxifylline Administration Improve Hemoglobin in Hemodialysis Patients?

Effect of Pentoxifylline Administration on Hemoglobin Level of Hemodialysis Patients

Our study investigated the effect of using a known drug used in intermittent claudication (named pentoxifylline) as an adjuvant to erythropoietin stimulating agents to improve anemia of hemodialysis patients.

Fifty out of 57 hemodialysis anemic patients were finally included. They were assigned to two groups of equal numbers. Oral Pentoxifylline 400mg once daily was added to the treatment group which was compared to the control group over a six months period regarding hemoglobin, hematocrit, serum albumin and CRP.

Inclusion criteria: (Patients with ESRD on HD who have hemoglobin <11 g/dl, taking Erythropoietin alfa 4000 -12000 I.U/wk and having a urea reduction ratio >65%.). There were 57 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of 158 patients.

Exclusion criteria: Iron deficiency anemia with transferrin saturation <30%, intact PTH>300pg/ml, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (evidenced by macrocytosis), history of intolerance to pentoxifylline or other xanthine derivatives, recent retinal or cerebral hemorrhage or active peptic ulcer disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, presence of systemic hematological disease or known hemoglobinopathy, major surgery, infection, acute myocardial infarction, or malignancy within the last three months and patients who refused to participate in the study.

Inclusion Criteria:

• (Patients with ESRD on HD who have hemoglobin <11 g/dl, taking Erythropoietin alfa 4000 -12000 I.U/wk and having a urea reduction ratio >65%.). There were 57 patients who met the inclusion criteria out of 158 patients

Exclusion Criteria:

• Iron deficiency anemia with transferrin saturation <30%, intact PTH>300pg/ml, vitamin B12 or folate deficiency (evidenced by macrocytosis), history of intolerance to pentoxifylline or other xanthine derivatives, recent retinal or cerebral hemorrhage or active peptic ulcer disease, pregnancy or breastfeeding, presence of systemic hematological disease or known hemoglobinopathy, major surgery, infection, acute myocardial infarction, or malignancy within the last three months and patients who refused to participate in the study.