CILOSTAZOL

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Pletal

GENERIC NAME(S): CILOSTAZOL
Description: Cilostazol is a reversible selective inhibitor of phosphodiesterase-III (PDE-III), thereby suppressing cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) degradation. It stops the agreggation of platelets and widens blood vessels.

Pharmacokinetics:

Absorption: Absorbed from the GI tract after oral admin.

Distribution: 95-98% bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism: Extensively metabolised hepatically by CYP450 isoenzymes, mainly CYP3A4.

Excretion: Mainly excreted in the urine, remainder excreted in the faeces.

 

Cilostazol, an antiplatelet drug and a vasodilator, improves the symptoms of a certain blood flow problem in the legs (intermittent claudication) such as muscle pain/cramps that occur during exercise/walking. Cilostazol can increase blood flow and the amount of oxygen that gets to the muscles by stopping platelets from sticking together and prevents them from forming harmful clots. It also widens blood vessels in the legs. Cilostazol helps the blood to move more easily and keeps blood flowing smoothly in your body.

How to use cilostazol

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 without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner. The 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).

Use this medication regularly 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 before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Medications similar to cilostazol have caused serious (possibly fatal) problems in people with a certain type of heart disease (congestive heart failure). Therefore, do not use cilostazol if you have congestive heart failure.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly if any of these effects persist or worsen:

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • runny nose
  • dizziness

Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including:

  • swelling hands/feet
  • easy bruising/bleeding
  • black/bloody stools
  • vomit that looks like coffee grounds
  • signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat)

Get medical help right away if you have any very serious side effects, including:

  • chest/jaw/left arm pain
  • fainting
  • fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat
  • severe dizziness
  • vision changes
  • weakness on one side of the body
  • slurred speech
  • confusion

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Consult your doctor regarding these precautions:

  • Allergic reaction to this medication.
  • Patients with medical history of:
    • serious/active bleeding (such as bleeding ulcers, bleeding in the eye/brain)
    • blood disorders (such as hemophilia, low platelet counts)
    • heart disease (such as heart attack, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat)
    • stroke
    • kidney disease
  • 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.
  • The risk of QT prolongation may be increased if you have certain medical conditions or are taking other drugs that may cause QT prolongation.
  • Tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products) before having surgery.
  • Older adults may be more sensitive to swelling of the hands/feet (fluid retention) or QT prolongation.
  • Used only when clearly needed during pregnancy.
  • Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

 

Interactions

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.

Some products that may interact with this drug include:

  • “blood thinners” (such as heparin, warfarin)
  • certain other antiplatelet drugs (such as dipyridamole)
  • tipranavir

This medication is sometimes used together with other drugs that may increase your risk of bleeding. Examples are certain antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin, clopidogrel).

Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen) which can increase the risk of bleeding/antiplatelet effect when used with cilostazol.

Overdose

If overdose is suspected, contact a poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe headache, very fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness.

Notes

Do not share this medication with others.

Talk with your doctor about an exercise program to improve walking and decrease pain.

Missed Dose

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.

Storage

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.

 

Brands:
Available Brands

Aggravan [ Gracio Med ] Ciletin [ Korea United Pharma ]
Clazol [ OEP Phils ] Pencil 50/Pencil 100 [ Cadila Pharma ]
Platecil [ Crisdy-Na ] Pletaal [ Otsuka ]
Trombocil [ LR Imperial ] Vaxol [ Cathay YSS ]

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