Pletal

Cilostazol is used to improve the symptoms of a certain blood flow problem in the legs (intermittent claudication). Cilostazol can decrease the muscle pain/cramps that occur during exercise/walking. Claudication pain is caused by too little oxygen getting to the muscles. Cilostazol can increase blood flow and the amount of oxygen that gets to the muscles. Cilostazol is an "anti-platelet" and a vasodilator. It works by preventing certain blood cells (platelets) from sticking together and by widening blood vessels in the legs. This helps the blood to move more easily and increases blood flow.

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking cilostazol and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily without food, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner. Dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while using this medication unless your doctor or pharmacist says you may do so. Grapefruit can increase the chance of side effects with this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Your symptoms may improve in 2-4 weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks to notice a benefit from this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: "blood thinners" (such as heparin, warfarin), other "anti-platelet" drugs (such as clopidogrel, dipyridamole, ticlopidine), tipranavir. Other medications can affect the removal of cilostazol from your body, which may affect how cilostazol works. Examples include diltiazem, omeprazole, azole antifungals (such as ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, miconazole), macrolide antibiotics (such as erythromycin, clarithromycin), certain antidepressants (such as nefazodone, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, sertraline) among others. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) which can increase the risk of bleeding/anti-platelet effect when used with cilostazol. Low-dose aspirin (usually 81-325 milligrams per day) as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For information about enrolling in MedicAlert, call 1-800-854-1166 (US) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).

Do not share this medication with others. Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details. Talk with your doctor about an exercise program to improve walking and decrease pain.

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US National Poison Hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe headache, very fast/irregular heartbeat, or severe dizziness.

Before taking cilostazol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding disorders (such as bleeding ulcers, bleeding in the eye/brain), congestive heart failure, other heart disease (such as heart attack, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat), stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, blood disorders (such as hemophilia, low platelet counts). This drug may make you dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this medication passes into breast milk. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Headache, diarrhea, runny nose, and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, swelling of the hands/feet. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, black or bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat). Get medical help right away if any of these rare but serious side effects occur: chest/jaw/left arm pain, fainting, vision changes, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, confusion. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Medications similar to cilostazol have shortened the lives of people with a certain type of heart disease (congestive heart failure). Therefore, do not use cilostazol if you have congestive heart failure.