By Henry J. Fishman, M.D.
ConsumerAffairs.com
April 7, 2006
A new drug called pentoxifylline, marketed as Trental, helps folks with leg ulcers, especially diabetics and the elderly.
Researchers looked at eight studies on the drug, which previously has been used to treat leg cramps, and published their conclusions in the journal Lancet.
In the study, 547 patients received either the drug or a placebo or other treatment like compression with special stockings.
The drug reduced symptoms 50 percent better than a placebo. The drug plus compression was 30 percent better at fully healing an ulcer than a placebo plus compression. It only occasionally caused mild side effects like indigestion.
While the study included a small number of patients and results may vary in larger groups, this new drug may help millions of people with leg ulcers.
So, if you have a leg ulcer that's not getting better, ask hyour doctor about Trental, chemical name pentoxifylline.
