Cilostazol (Oral Route)

Drug Information provided by: Micromedex

ARTICLE SECTIONS

US Brand Names

Pletal

Description

Cilostazol improves the flow of blood through blood vessels. It is used to reduce leg pain caused by poor circulation (intermittent claudication). Cilostazol makes it possible to walk farther before having to rest because of leg pain.

Cilostazol works by keeping blood from clotting and by dilating or relaxing the blood vessels.

Cilostazol is available only with your doctor's prescription.

This product is available in the following dosage forms:

Tablet

Before Using

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of cilostazol in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breastfeeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

Abciximab
Acenocoumarol
Alteplase, Recombinant
Anisindione
Anistreplase
Argatroban
Bivalirudin
Cilostazol
Citalopram
Clopidogrel
Clovoxamine
Danaparoid
Defibrotide
Dermatan Sulfate
Desirudin
Desvenlafaxine
Dicumarol
Duloxetine
Eptifibatide
Escitalopram
Femoxetine
Flesinoxan
Fluoxetine
Fluvoxamine
Fondaparinux
Ginkgo
Heparin
Lamifiban
Nefazodone
Paroxetine
Phenindione
Phenprocoumon
Reteplase, Recombinant
Sertraline
Sibrafiban
Streptokinase
Tenecteplase
Tirofiban
Urokinase
Venlafaxine
Warfarin
Xemilofiban
Zimeldine

Other Interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

Active bleeding (including peptic ulcers and intracranial bleeding [e.g., bleeding on the brain]) or
Blood or blood clotting disorders or
Congestive heart failure—This medicine should not be used.

Kidney disease or
Liver disease—Special caution should be used.

Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood)—Caution should be used.

Proper Use

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

For oral dosage form (tablets):
- For treatment of peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems):
  - Adults—100 milligrams (mg) two times a day, taken at least one half hour before or two hours after breakfast and dinner. In patients who take certain other medicines at the same time as cilostazol, the dose may be 50 mg two times a day.
  - Children—Use and dose must be determined by a doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions

It may take several weeks for this medicine to work. If you feel that cilostazol is not working, do not stop taking it on your own. Instead, check with your doctor.

Smoking tobacco products, such as cigarettes, may worsen your condition since nicotine may further narrow blood vessels and may also affect how this medicine works. Therefore, it is best to avoid smoking.

You should not take cilostazol with grapefruit juice. You may, however, take it with other citrus juices.

Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Fast or irregular heartbeat
Fever

Less common

Abnormal bleeding
Bloody or black tarry stools
Bruises and/or red spots on the skin
Fainting
Nausea, heartburn, and/or indigestion (severe or continuing)
Nosebleeds
Stiff neck
Stomach pain, cramping, or burning (severe)
Swelling of the tongue
Vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain
Area rash
Bleeding gums
Bleeding tendency
Blistering, peeling, loosening of skin
Blood in urine or stools
Blurred vision
Chest pain
Chills
Clay-colored stools
Confusion
Cough or hoarseness
Coughing up blood
Dark urine
Diarrhea
Difficult breathing
Drowsiness
Fever with or without chills
General feeling of tiredness or weakness
Headache, sudden and severe
Inability to speak
Irregular heartbeat
Itching of eyes
Itching of skin
Joint or muscle pain
Lab results that show problems with the liver
Light-colored stools
Loss of appetite
Loss of consciousness
Lower back or side pain
Nausea and vomiting
Painful or difficult urination
Pinpoint red spots on skin
Red, irritated eyes
Red skin lesions, often with a purple center
Seizures
Shortness of breath
Skin rash
Slurred speech
Sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
Stomach pain
Swollen glands
Temporary blindness
Unpleasant breath odor
Unusual bleeding or bruising
Unusual tiredness or weakness
Weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe
Weakness of part of body
Wheezing
Yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose

Diarrhea
Dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
Fast or irregular heartbeat
Headache (severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common