Pentoxifylline Treatment of Acute Pancreatitis

Subjects will be put in one of two groups by chance (as in the flip of a coin). This is done so that neither you nor the investigator will know which group you are in.

You will be put into either the treatment group or the control group.

• The treatment group will receive a drug called pentoxifylline
• The control group will receive a placebo (matching pill that has no medication in it) You will take the pills by mouth starting from the time of admission. You will receive a total of 9 doses over the first three days of your hospitalization (72 hours).

When subject have standard patient care blood draws, additional blood will be taken to do the research tests. The additional blood tests will be done every day for up to 5 days, after the administration of study drug or till the time of discharge whichever occurs earlier. The additional tests will require about 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of blood per day; the maximum amount of extra blood taken would be less than 3 tablespoons (40.0 ml). Information from your medical record will be gathered while you are hospitalized and after your discharge. The study will continue to gather clinical follow up information up to four months.

Inclusion criteria

• Predicted Severe Acute Pancreatitis
• Enrollment within 72 hours of diagnosis
• Ability to give informed consent
• Age >17 years

Exclusion criteria

• Moderate or severe congestive heart failure
• History of seizure disorder or demyelinating disease
• Nursing mothers
• Pregnancy
• History of prior tuberculosis or risk factors for tuberculosis
• Evidence of immunosuppression (malignancy, chronic renal failure, chemotherapy within 60 days, ongoing steroid treatment*, and HIV)- (*the exception of prednisone use will be allowed to participate).
• Evidence of chronic pancreatitis from history and examination (however, "acute on chronic pancreatitis" diagnosis is allowed)
• Evidence of active or pending hemorrhage.
• Paralytic ileus with vomiting