Pentoxifylline

Is it effective against hair loss?

To date, we have some studies that mention its approved effectiveness in treating alopecia areata. We also have studies on its effects on psoriasis, which is a condition that can affect the scalp and cause hair loss. However, not all studies agree on its efficacy for psoriasis.

Pentoxifyllinemay treat alopecia areata

Patchy alopecia areata multilocularis (left) and alopecia areata ophiasis (right)

According to a 2018 study conducted by El-Tawee and his team, pentoxifylline injection has been efficient in the treatment of localized alopecia areata.

Researchers studied 75 patients divided into three groups:

• Group A received triamcinolone acetonide injections
• Group B received a combination of triamcinolone acetonide and pentoxifylline injections
• Group C received pentoxifylline injections alone

The results showed that both pentoxifylline and triamcinolone acetonide injections were effective in treating alopecia areata. However, the combined treatment of both showed the highest response rate, followed by pentoxifylline alone, and then triamcinolone acetonide alone.

Pentoxifylline may treat Psoriasis

To explain it in simple terms, psoriasis causes skin cells to grow too quickly, resulting in red, thick, scaly patches on the skin. It is an immune disorder where the immune system attacks healthy skin cells by mistake. Psoriasis can be itchy and uncomfortable.

Psoriasis can occur on the scalp and cause hair loss, that’s why it’s important to take precautions.

Here is an example of psoriasis :

Numerous studies have tested the effects of Pentoxifylline on psoriasis and have obtained different results: according to some studies, it is not effective, while for others, it is.

I will not cite all the studies, here are a few examples:

1998 study : oral Pentoxifylline (3×400 mg) on psoriasis

In a 1998 study, the daily dose of 3×400 mg of Pentoxifylline has been inefficient in reducing psoriasis in 28 patients. There was no difference between the placebo group and the Pentoxifylline group.

2013 study : oral Pentoxifylline (1x800mg) on psoriasis

In this 2013 study, researchers gave 25 patients with moderate to severe psoriasis 800 mg pentoxifylline pills for eight weeks. The main goal was to see if their psoriasis improved by at least 50%.

After eight weeks, they found that most of the patients (72.7%) did get better by at least that much. The itching also decreased, and overall, the patients felt better. No serious side effects were reported.

2022 study : niosomes Pentoxifylline on psoriasis

In this 2022 study, researchers developed tiny drug carriers called niosomes to improve psoriasis treatment. They loaded these niosomes with pentoxifylline. In lab tests, they optimized these niosomes and found that they could penetrate the skin layers better than the drug alone.

In live mice with psoriasis, the niosomes reduced skin inflammation significantly. This suggests that these pentoxifylline-loaded niosomes could be a promising way to improve psoriasis management.

Pentoxifylline counteracts the side effects of certain medications

In general, pentoxifylline can be combined with other medications in the treatment of psoriasis. For example, in a 2010 study, it was combined with sulfasalazine for psoriasis and improved its efficacy.

In addition to potentially helping treat psoriasis, pentoxifylline may also counteract many of the unwanted side effects of certain immunosuppressant drugs like cyclosporine and cyclophosphamide.

For instance, cyclosporine is sometimes used to treat severe psoriasis, but it can cause issues like low red blood cell counts, clotting problems, and high triglycerides.

Studies have shown that when pentoxifylline is given together with cyclosporine, it can prevent some of these undesired effects. For example, pentoxifylline may reduce the high triglyceride levels caused by cyclosporine therapy. This is notable since people with psoriasis often already have abnormal triglyceride metabolism even before medications.

2022 study : niosomes loaded with Cyclosporine and Pentoxifylline on psoriasis

In a 2022 study, researchers used a special design to create optimized niosomes loaded with Cyclosporine and Pentoxifylline. These niosomes had a size of 179 nm, were well-dispersed, and had good drug content. They were tested on skin and in mice with psoriasis.

Results showed that the niosomes improved skin condition in mice better than using the drugs alone. This suggests that niosomes could be a promising way to deliver both Cyclosporine and Pentoxifylline for more effective psoriasis treatment.

Overall, using pentoxifylline alongside cyclosporine seems to allow cyclosporine to work while causing fewer troublesome side effects. Pentoxifylline has a good safety profile and is well-tolerated.

So for psoriasis patients taking cyclosporine, adding pentoxifylline as an extra treatment could be very beneficial. It may improve outcomes and quality of life by minimizing the downsides of cyclosporine.

Closing thoughts and verdict

I believe that using Pentoxifylline could prove to be effective in treating alopecia areata. It may also prove useful for psoriasis when combined with other treatments, especially with the goal of reducing the side effects of those treatments.

Please remember that this type of treatment should be prescribed by your doctor and should be used under medical supervision.

Precautions & side effects

Side Effects:

• Upset stomach, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Dizziness or headache
• Irregular heartbeat
• Bleeding or easy bruising

Precautions:

• Tell your doctor if you have bleeding disorders or a history of stroke
• Use cautiously if you have very low blood pressure
• May interact with blood thinners like warfarin – dosage adjustments may be needed
• Can lower blood sugar, so diabetics should monitor glucose closely
• Increased risk of bleeding when combined with NSAIDs like ibuprofen
• Pregnant women should use only if clearly needed

Contraindications :

This medication should not be used by patients who have previously shown intolerance to pentoxifylline, xanthines (such as caffeine and theophylline), or any ingredient in the formulation. It is also contraindicated for individuals who have recently experienced a cerebral and/or retinal hemorrhage.