Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
5-HT2 Receptor Antagonist — Peripheral Arterial Disease (Intermittent Claudication)

Naftidrofuryl Oxalate

Brand names: Praxilene

Naftidrofuryl oxalate is a peripheral vasodilator used to relieve symptoms in intermittent claudication due to peripheral arterial disease.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

It antagonises 5-HT2 receptors, which is thought to improve muscle metabolism and reduce vasoconstriction in ischaemic tissue.

Prescribing in practice

  • Capsules should be swallowed whole with plenty of fluid while sitting or standing to reduce the risk of oesophageal irritation and stricture.
  • It is an option for patients whose claudication limits lifestyle despite supervised exercise, and treatment should be reviewed for benefit after an adequate trial.
  • Hepatic and renal disorders have rarely been reported, so use with caution and stop if liver dysfunction occurs.

Monitoring

Review for symptomatic improvement after a defined trial period and discontinue if there is no meaningful benefit.

Counselling the patient

  • Swallow the capsules whole with a full glass of water and do not take them lying down.
  • Continue your exercise programme and address vascular risk factors such as smoking.
  • Report if your walking distance does not improve so treatment can be reassessed.

Evidence & guidelines

NICE identifies naftidrofuryl oxalate as the preferred drug option for intermittent claudication when exercise has not led to satisfactory improvement and surgery is not being considered.

Reference: NICE TA223 (Naftidrofuryl for PAD); Cochrane Review: Oral Vasodilators for PAD; ESVS PAD Guidelines 2017; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Pathways