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Pentoxifylline for the treatment of acute alcoholic hepatitis

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Posted 6/15/2012 9:15 PM (GMT 0)
Hello everyone,

My DH was just diagnosed with acute alcoholic hepatitis & has cirrhosis. They put him on 400mg 3 times a day for the AAH. He'll have to take it for at least 3 mo. It's a blood thinner that helps improve circulation in the extremities. Apparently its used for several reasons, like leg pain, which my DH was complaining of. Anyways, I did some reading and found out it is supposed to be the up and coming treatment for AAH, and before that they gave patients 3mo of steroids. My concern is my DH has low platelets (thrombocytopenia) most of the time, so his count needs to be monitored frequently, and he absolutely cannot drink with it as alcohol causes a blood thinning effect as well.

How many of you have been put on this med too? What has been your experience? What has your Dr told you about it and what do you know?
Posted 6/15/2012 9:42 PM (GMT 0)
Lisa, I've never heard of it and just looked it up. I didn't see any warnngs about mixing it with alcohol. However, there was a warning about taking it if one has hepatic disease.

Hugs,
Connie
Posted 6/15/2012 10:04 PM (GMT 0)
His hepatologist swears by this I guess. When we saw him 3 days ago I asked about the thrombocytopenia, alcohol use, and the hepatic warning. He just explained how its supposed to work for him, said DH didnt need to be drinking anyways let slone on this med, and that we'd monitor platelets. Youte absolutely tright, thats why I wondered what others knew from experience since the Dr gave him the green light on it. Im skeptical but Im also not a Dr either lol. I just do what research I can and ask the Dr questions.
Posted 6/15/2012 10:13 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Lisa,

I am no doctor either. And, I didn't look up the med like Connie did. But, I am wondering why a cirrhosis patient would be given a medication that thins the blood. It has been my understanding that people with liver issues have clotting problems.

Please let us know the more you find out about this medication. What it is suppose to do for the patient and how it goes.

Best,
Emma
Posted 6/16/2012 2:27 AM (GMT 0)
Im right there with you Emma, Id like to know the same thing! Ill keep you posted if I find out something outside of this forum.
Posted 6/16/2012 3:12 AM (GMT 0)
Cant remember why but I was given a prescription for Pentoxifylline back in early 2009 , I saw this post and it rang a bell , Checked my med cabinet and have a whole bottle full . As I recall I believe my old G.I prescribed it but while visiting my Hepatologist he told me to not take it . I will have to verify that with the transplant coordinator or dig through my records to find out why for sure . I'll see what I can find out and let you know .

I really need to clean out that cabinet .



A. Ziffle
Posted 6/16/2012 3:24 AM (GMT 0)
A. Ziffle-

Lol, I appreciate that very much. Let me know what you can muster up. No rush, I know how hard it is to get motivated to clean those things out. Thanks again.
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