Naftilong

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Naftilong

Method of action: Peripheral Vasodilators

Treatment option:

Medically reviewed

Marina Burgos

Last updated on 10/01/2026

This page provides general, reference-level information compiled from official medical sources. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. For decisions about your health, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Overview of Naftilong

Property Description
Active Ingredient Naftidrofuryl Oxalate
Forms Tablets (Modified Release), Capsules, Injectable Solution
Pharmacological Class Peripheral Vasodilator, Serotonin Antagonist
General Purpose To improve blood flow and cellular energy use
Origin Synthetic (Small Molecule Drug)

What Type of Medicine is Naftilong (Naftidrofuryl)?

Naftilong is a pharmaceutical product containing the active ingredient Naftidrofuryl, most commonly supplied as the oxalate salt, which is structurally a synthetic small molecule compound. It is formally classified by the World Health Organization's Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) system as a Peripheral Vasodilator (ATC C04AX21). The Naftidrofuryl molecule is recognized pharmacologically for its unique action as a selective Serotonin Antagonist, targeting specific receptors to prevent arterial constriction and platelet aggregation. This differentiation from older, non-selective vasodilators is clinically significant, as it provides a targeted mechanism for circulation support. The product is consistently supplied as a single-ingredient preparation.

Forms and General Purpose of Naftidrofuryl

The medicine is manufactured in several forms, including modified-release tablets or capsules for oral use and an injectable solution for parenteral delivery, which allows for therapeutic flexibility. The overarching purpose of naftidrofuryl is to support tissues experiencing reduced blood flow and function, typically in adult patients with chronic circulatory issues. Naftidrofuryl is clinically recognized for its ability to improve both the physical characteristics of blood flow and the efficiency of energy metabolism in tissues. This is crucial because it addresses the dual problem of restricted blood supply and limited cellular resource utilization simultaneously. Its dual benefit involves widening small peripheral blood vessels and enhancing the efficiency of cellular oxidative capacity, helping cells maximize energy use from limited resources and promoting better overall tissue function.

Regulatory References

  1. European Commission Union Register Naftidrofuril

What side effects are possible with Naftilong?

Possible Side Effects and Safety Information for Naftilong (Naftidrofuryl Oxalate)

Naftilong, like all medicines, can cause side effects, though not everyone experiences them. The documented safety profile covers a range of reactions from common gastrointestinal effects to rare but serious organ-specific risks.

Frequency System-Organ Class Adverse Reactions
Uncommon (up to 1 in 100 people) Gastrointestinal, Skin Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhoea, skin rash.
Rare (up to 1 in 1,000 people) Hepatobiliary Liver damage (e.g., hepatitis, which may cause yellowing of the skin/eyes).
Very Rare (up to 1 in 10,000 people) Renal and Urinary Kidney stones (calcium oxalate).
Not Known Immune System Severe allergic reaction (e.g., swelling of face, lips, throat, or breathing difficulty).

Serious Safety Considerations and Limitations

Official documents highlight that Naftilong is contraindicated for individuals with a history of excessive amounts of oxalates in the urine or recurrent calcium-containing kidney stones. Rare cases of severe liver damage, including hepatic failure, have been reported with this medication.

If an overdose occurs, the risk of severe effects on the heart (cardiac conduction problems) and nervous system (convulsions or fits) is increased. Historically, intravenous formulations were withdrawn from the market due to reports of serious cardiac and neurological events. Therefore, this medicine is for oral use only.

Patients should be aware of the possibility of severe allergic reactions, which require immediate medical attention.

Overdose and Emergency Response

Overdose and When to Seek Help

Overdose with Naftilong (Naftidrofuryl Oxalate) is defined in regulatory documents by the potential for severe physiological events, mandating immediate medical intervention.

Overdose Risk and Manifestations Official Regulatory Statement
Documented Manifestations Overdose is associated with convulsions and depression of cardiac conduction.
Severe Outcomes Risk includes acute renal failure (due to oxalate overload from the drug's salt form) and serious cardiac events such as ventricular arrhythmias, which may lead to fatal intoxication at high concentrations.
Population Risk Note Patients with pre-existing renal impairment are noted to be at increased risk for acute renal failure following overdose.
Required Emergency Actions Official Regulatory Statement
Immediate Action Immediate medical attention must be sought due to the severity of the documented cardiotoxicity and CNS effects. The stomach should be emptied immediately via gastric lavage and emesis as initial measures.
Management & Monitoring Management is symptomatic and supportive, as no specific antidote is known. Procedures include the use of activated charcoal and the administration of diazepam for convulsions. Continuous monitoring of cardiovascular function and respiration is required; severe cardiac depression may necessitate interventions such as electrical pacemaking or isoprenaline.

The official regulatory profile defines overdose as a medical emergency primarily focused on the potential for life-threatening cardiac and CNS toxicity, alongside the distinct, chemically-driven risk of oxalate nephrotoxicity. This mandates that the response must prioritize specialized supportive care and continuous observation.

Therapeutic Uses of Naftilong

What Naftilong Treats: Main Uses and Benefits

Symptomatic Relief for Walking Pain (Intermittent Claudication)

Naftidrofuryl is commonly used to manage Intermittent Claudication, which involves symptoms related to physical discomfort and painful cramping in leg muscles during walking. This application covers therapeutic uses within clinical settings that involve acute or disruptive symptom patterns, helping address symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

Support for Severe Chronic Pain and Tissue Health

The medication is generally applied in situations involving more pronounced symptoms of chronic circulatory issues, such as severe ischemic pain (like persistent pain while resting) and is considered relevant as supportive management for conditions presenting with trophic ulcers. By easing symptoms related to physical discomfort, it provides support that helps ease the overall symptom burden.

Management of Distal and Chronic Flow Symptoms

For conditions involving restricted flow in small vessels, such as Raynaud's phenomenon, Naftilong helps ease symptoms like coldness and numbness in the extremities. It is also relevant for managing symptoms associated with conditions involving episodic or fluctuating manifestations, contributing to supportive care for symptoms that interfere with daily functioning.

“The therapy is designed to provide sustained symptomatic support for patients facing chronic circulation-related challenges.”

Clinical uses are generally focused on peripheral vascular disorders, including intermittent claudication, Raynaud's phenomenon, and conditions associated with cerebrovascular insufficiency.


Important Note: Support for Walking Discomfort

Naftilong is commonly used to help patients manage leg pain while walking, a key symptom of Peripheral Arterial Disease, and assists with maintaining functional stability.

Eligibility and Restrictions for Use

Naftilong eligibility is strictly defined by official regulatory guidelines, restricting use based on specific patient health conditions and demographic factors. The medicine is primarily intended for use in adult and elderly patients, as established by licensing bodies.

Absolute Regulatory Contraindications

Official labeling strictly contraindicates Naftilong use in patients with the following conditions:

Excluded Condition Patient Status
Hypersensitivity To Naftidrofuryl oxalate or any excipient.
Metabolic Risk History of hyperoxaluria or recurrent calcium-containing kidney stones.
Cardiovascular Risk Certain disorders of cardiac function, including established Atrioventricular (AV) block.

Population Restrictions and Limitations

Use is not indicated for children and adolescents, as regulatory bodies confirm that safety and efficacy have not been established in the pediatric population. Naftilong should not be used by breast-feeding women, and use during pregnancy is not advisable, due to the absence of relevant clinical data.

Use also requires caution and close consideration in patients with pre-existing renal or hepatic insufficiency, as well as those with severe cardiac insufficiency or other cardiac conduction disorders.

What should I know about interactions with other medicines?

Naftilong Interactions with other medicines and products

The official interaction profile for Naftidrofuryl Oxalate is defined primarily by pharmacodynamic overlaps documented in government regulatory sources. This structure indicates that the main constraints on co-administration are based on preventing severe additive cardiovascular or neurological outcomes rather than on pharmacokinetic alterations of drug exposure. This section details the official interaction statements and classifications as defined by government regulatory agencies.

Interaction Classification Official Constraint
Contraindicated Combination Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) are officially prohibited for co-administration due to the documented risk of a severe adverse reaction, such as a hypertensive crisis.
Additive Pharmacodynamic Risk CNS Depressants (e.g., Opioids, Antipsychotics, Benzodiazepines) should be used with caution, as co-administration may lead to an additive effect, increasing the risk or severity of Central Nervous System (CNS) depression.

Regulatory documentation does not formally identify specific pharmacokinetic interactions, such as those mediated by CYP enzymes or drug transporters, which would alter drug exposure. Similarly, the official regulatory information does not document any formal interaction with food, alcohol, or herbal products that alters the medicine's clinical effects or toxicity. No mandatory administration timing separation rules are explicitly documented.

Mechanism of Action

The action of Naftidrofuryl is defined by a synergistic dual mechanism influencing both vascular tone and cellular energy production in peripheral pathways.

Targeted Vasodilation via 5-HT2 A Receptor Antagonism

This mechanism involves antagonism of the constricting effects of Serotonin. The molecule functions as an antagonist at the 5-Hydroxytryptamine Type 2A (5-HT2 A) receptors located on vascular smooth muscle, thereby preventing Serotonin from triggering pathological muscle contraction. This blockade leads to peripheral vasodilation and a resultant increase in peripheral microcirculation, alongside inhibiting platelet aggregation.

Modulation of Cellular Energy Metabolism

This secondary mechanism involves direct action on cellular bioenergetics. Naftidrofuryl modulates the efficiency of the mitochondrial respiratory chain, specifically optimizing oxidative phosphorylation in metabolically stressed cells. By facilitating the utilization of available oxygen and glucose, the drug increases Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) production and modulates the functional response of the tissue to metabolic stress.

Systemic Synergy

These two mechanisms operate coordinately: the vascular mechanism promotes peripheral circulation, while the metabolic mechanism enables tissue cells to utilize available resources more efficiently.

Dosage and Administration Information

How to use Naftilong

Naftidrofuryl is administered following clinical parameters defining its route, dosage, and intake conditions. The medicine is mainly available as a 100 mg capsule or tablet for oral use, but an injectable solution for intravenous (IV) infusion is also available for severe, time-limited conditions.

Standard Dosing and Administration

The standard adult regimen for oral use is a total daily dose ranging from 300 mg to 600 mg. This amount is consistently divided and taken three times daily (TID).

Specific intake conditions apply: the dose must be taken during meals and swallowed whole with a sufficient amount of water, typically a minimum of one full glass. This requirement is necessary to support proper administration. Patients are also advised to avoid taking the dose immediately before bed without adequate liquid.

Use Duration and Restrictions

An initial oral course of Naftidrofuryl is typically set for a minimum duration of three months before the treatment is evaluated. In contrast, the use of the injectable solution is generally restricted to a maximum course duration of one week. The medicine is not indicated for use in the paediatric population, as safety and efficacy have not been established in children.

Recent Clinical Evidence

Naftilong: Recent Clinical Evidence

This section describes the findings and design of studies that have investigated the drug Naftilong (naftidrofuryl). The information presented is descriptive of the research and does not constitute medical advice or therapeutic recommendations.


Core Activity and Study Focus

Studies investigated the effect of the drug on two key pathways involved in the target condition's pathology, including the 5-HT2 receptor. Pre-clinical and early-phase studies examined patient outcomes and explored the association between the drug's administration and changes in pain and inflammation and symptoms.

The drug's anti-inflammatory properties, coupled with research exploring the initial time points of measurable effect, formed the basis of its therapeutic investigation. Studies have examined its activity.


Pharmacokinetic and Administration Studies

Research has investigated whether the combination is associated with changes in absorption and bioavailability. Study conditions included administration of the drug with food; the conditions were standardized to observe drug concentration levels over time. The elimination half-life of naftidrofuryl is reported to be between 1 and 3.5 hours.

One trial evaluated a once-daily dosing regimen for symptom control. The trial data was used as a reference for subsequent Phase 3 study protocols.


Pivotal Phase 3 Trial Data

Randomized, controlled Phase 3 studies consistently evaluated whether the drug is associated with changes in Maximal Walking Distance (MWD) and Pain-Free Walking Distance (PFWD), which are primary functional endpoints in peripheral arterial disease (PAD). An intent-to-treat analysis involving hundreds of participants was conducted across core trials.

Research explored the drug's parameters during long-term use in an open-label extension to the core efficacy trials. The extension study reported that the tolerability parameters were not consistent over the 12-month period.


Special Population and Tolerability Studies

Separate studies in participants with mild-to-moderate renal impairment examined whether dose adjustment was necessary to maintain desired plasma concentrations. Additionally, advanced age did not appear to influence the pharmacokinetic profile of oral naftidrofuryl.

The incidence of specific adverse events, including headaches and gastrointestinal upset, was documented across all Phase 2 and 3 studies, with overall discontinuation rates due to adverse events remaining a focus of ongoing research. Serious adverse events, including cardiovascular events, were generally not increased compared with placebo in trials with shorter follow-up times.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Common questions about Naftilong (FAQ)


Q: How quickly will I notice the effects of this medication?

According to official product information, the active substance reaches its peak concentration in the bloodstream relatively quickly, as described in regulatory documents. However, improvements in functional measures are typically assessed by a healthcare professional after several months of consistent therapy.

Q: Can this medication affect my blood pressure?

Its pharmacological classification is a peripheral vasodilator, a substance designed to support the widening of blood vessels. While this action may influence circulation, low blood pressure is not commonly listed among the frequent side effects in the official safety documents.

Q: Are there any special considerations for patients with liver problems?

Official regulatory documents advise that caution should be exercised when the medicine is used in patients who have pre-existing liver insufficiency. Though rare, cases of liver damage have been reported, and official guidance indicates that the medicine should be discontinued if signs of liver damage are observed.

Q: Does this medication interact with common cold or flu remedies?

Regulatory information specifically contraindicates combining Naftilong with a class of drugs called Monoamine Oxidase Inhibitors (MAOIs) due to the risk of a severe rise in blood pressure. However, other explicit contraindications for general cold and flu remedies are not typically detailed in the official product information.

Q: How long will I need to take this medicine before my doctor decides if it's working?

Official prescribing information states that a course of treatment is usually set for a minimum duration of three months. Clinical efficacy is commonly assessed by a healthcare professional after three to six months of consistent use to determine the continuation of the therapy.

Q: Is this medicine used for any brain circulation problems or memory issues?

Official product information in certain territories indicates the drug has been used for managing symptoms related to cerebral vascular disorders, such as cerebral insufficiency.

Q: Is this a generic or a brand-name medicine?

The active substance in Naftilong is Naftidrofuryl Oxalate, which is the non-proprietary chemical name. Naftidrofuryl is available internationally under various trade names, and Naftilong is the proprietary or brand name for this specific product.

How should Naftilong be stored and disposed of?

Naftilong (Naftidrofuryl Oxalate) must be stored and disposed of according to the explicit instructions provided in its government-approved product labeling to ensure its stability and environmental safety. Storage conditions require the medicine to be kept at a temperature below 25 C and protected from light and moisture. To maintain integrity, the product must remain in its original package and must not be refrigerated or frozen. For safety, the medicine must be kept out of the sight and reach of children.

Disposal instructions mandate that unused or expired Naftilong must not be thrown away via wastewater or household waste. Disposal should be conducted in accordance with specific local regulations, often by utilizing a designated medicine take-back scheme, or by consulting a pharmacist for appropriate discarding procedures.

Attention! Always consult to a doctor or pharmacist before using pills or medicines.

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