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| Pronunciation |
|
 (sil
OH sta
zol) |
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|
| Brand Names |
|
| Pletal® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
|
|
Phosphodiesterase Enzyme Inhibitor; Platelet Aggregation
Inhibitor |
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|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to cilostazol or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have weakened heart (congestive heart
failure).
|
|
|
| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine is used for pain and cramping in the legs when walking.
The pain and cramping go away with rest. This is called intermittent
claudication. Improvements can be seen in 2-4 weeks but can take up to 12 weeks
to see.
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|
|
| How does it work? |
|
|
- Cilostazol increases blood flow to the legs. It makes blood in parts
more flexible and thins the blood's
thickness.
|
|
|
| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take on an empty stomach. Take 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours
after meals.
- Avoid grapefruit and grapefruit
juice.
|
|
|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
|
- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
|
|
|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix
well with other medicines.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause stomach
irritation.
- Do not use if you have a weakened heart. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding tell healthcare provider.
- Avoid other aspirin-containing products, such as, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
- You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this
medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this
medicine.
|
|
|
| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Headache. Mild pain medicine may help.
- Diarrhea.
- Rapid heartbeats.
- Dizziness is common. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects
you.
|
|
|
| What should I monitor? |
|
|
- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
|
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|
| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Severe headache.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
|
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
|
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|
| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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