Cilostazol widens arteries that supply blood to the legs. Cilostazol also improves circulation by
keeping platelets in the blood from sticking together and clotting.
Cilostazol is used to treat the symptoms of intermittent claudication. This condition causes
reduced blood flow to the legs, leading to pain while walking. Cilostazol improves your ability to walk
longer distances without pain.
Cilostazol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking cilostazol?
Do not take cilostazol if you have congestive heart failure. Cilostazol can make this
condition worse.
Before using cilostazol, tell your doctor if you have:
heart disease; or
liver disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your
doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Cilostazol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take cilostazol?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Cilostazol is usually taken twice a day, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast
or dinner. Take cilostazol at the same times each day. Follow your doctor's instructions.
It may take up to 12 weeks of using cilostazol before your symptoms improve. For best results,
keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4
weeks of treatment.
Store cilostazol at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of cilostazol?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about cilostazol?
Your pharmacist has information about cilostazol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of cilostazol?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
severe headache;
bloody urine, painful urination;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
chest pain;
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion; or
swelling of your ankles or feet.
Less serious side effects may include:
fast or pounding heartbeats;
diarrhea, vomiting;
weakness, dizziness;
leg cramps;
numbness or tingling;
joint pain; or
cough, runny or stuffy nose.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your
doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about cilostazol?
Do not take cilostazol if you have congestive heart failure. Cilostazol can make this
condition worse.
It may take up to 12 weeks of using cilostazol before your symptoms improve. For best results,
keep using the medication as directed. Talk with your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 4
weeks of treatment.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with cilostazol. The interaction could lead to
potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase
or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
Take cilostazol on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food.
What should I avoid while taking cilostazol?
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with cilostazol. The interaction could lead to
potentially dangerous effects. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor. Do not increase
or decrease the amount of grapefruit products in your diet without first talking to your doctor.
What other drugs will affect cilostazol?
Before taking cilostazol, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
clopidogrel (Plavix);
omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) or esomeprazole (Nexium);
erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, E-Mycin, Erythrocin) or
clarithromycin (Biaxin);
ketoconazole (Nizoral), fluconazole (Diflucan), or
itraconazole (Sporanox);
diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac); or
fluvoxamine (Luvox), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline
(Zoloft), or nefazodone (Serzone).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
cilostazol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This
includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using
a new medication without telling your doctor.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum
information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not
warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does
not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist
licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not
a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or
drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any
given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information
Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse
or pharmacist.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 11/10/2009