title: Drug treatment of intermittent claudication.
abstract: The US FDA has approved two drugs for the management of intermittent claudication: pentoxifylline and cilostazol. The mechanism of action that provides symptom relief with pentoxifylline is poorly understood but is thought to involve red blood cell deformability as well as a reduction in fibrinogen concentration, platelet adhesiveness and whole blood viscosity. The recommended dose of pentoxifylline is 400 mg three times daily with meals. Cilostazol is a potent, reversible, phosphodiesterase III inhibitor. The inhibition of phosphodiesterase allows for the increased availability of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). cAMP mediates many agonist-induced platelet inhibitory, vasodilatory and vascular antiproliferative responses. Cilostazol, at a dose of 100 mg twice daily, is recommended to be taken 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner. In addition to pentoxifylline and cilostazol, clinical trials indicate many other drugs may relieve the symptoms of intermittent claudication. Ginkgo biloba, available as an over-the-counter extract, provides symptom relief comparable to pentoxifylline. Two European agents, naftidrofuryl and buflomedil, also have efficacy that is reported to be similar to pentoxifylline. Policosanol is a mixture of fatty alcohols derived from honeybee wax which, according to very limited data, reduces symptoms of claudication. Amino acids, certain peptides and prostaglandins may have a therapeutic role. Finally, novel approaches including angiogenesis mediated by growth factors, are currently under investigation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cardiovascular Division, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Jacoby
authors.forename: Emile R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Mohler
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000077407:Cilostazol; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D006801:Humans; D007383:Intermittent Claudication / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010431:Pentoxifylline / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014665:Vasodilator Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D013777:Tetrazoles; D014665:Vasodilator Agents; D000077407:Cilostazol; D010431:Pentoxifylline