Indications
- Cilostazol is prescribed to alleviate symptoms associated with a blood flow issue in the legs known as intermittent claudication.
- It effectively reduces muscle pain and cramps experienced during exercise or walking, addressing claudication pain caused by insufficient oxygen reaching the muscles.
- Cilostazol operates as both an antiplatelet drug and a vasodilator.
- Its antiplatelet properties prevent blood cells called platelets from sticking together, thus preventing the formation of harmful clots.
- Additionally, cilostazol widens blood vessels in the legs, contributing to increased blood flow and oxygen supply to the muscles.
- By facilitating easier blood movement, cilostazol ensures smooth blood circulation throughout the body.
Dosage and administration
- Before starting cilostazol, read the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
- Take this medication orally without food, following your doctor’s instructions. Typically, it is taken twice daily, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner.
- The dosage is determined based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be using. Inform your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.
- Use cilostazol regularly to derive the maximum benefit. Remember to take it at the same time every day.
- While you may notice improvements in your symptoms within 2-4 weeks, it might take up to 12 weeks to experience the full benefits of this medication.
Side effects
- Common side effects of this medication may include headache, diarrhea, runny nose, and dizziness. If any of these effects persist or worsen, promptly inform your doctor or pharmacist.
- It’s important to recognize that your doctor prescribed this medication because they assessed that the benefits outweigh the risks of potential side effects. Many individuals using this medication do not experience serious side effects.
- Notify your doctor immediately if you experience any serious side effects, such as swelling of hands or feet, easy bruising or bleeding, black or bloody stools, or vomit that resembles coffee grounds. Signs of infection, like a persistent sore throat or fever, should also be reported.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you encounter 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, trouble speaking, or confusion.
- Although rare, a severe allergic reaction to this drug can occur. Seek immediate medical help if you observe symptoms such as rash, itching, swelling (especially of the face, tongue, or throat), severe dizziness, or difficulty breathing.
- This list does not encompass all possible side effects. If you notice any other effects not mentioned here, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
Precautions
- Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to cilostazol or if you have any other allergies. The product’s inactive ingredients may trigger allergic reactions or other issues; consult your pharmacist for more details.
- Before using cilostazol, disclose your medical history to your doctor or pharmacist, particularly if you have a history of serious or active bleeding (such as bleeding ulcers, bleeding in the eye/brain), blood disorders (like hemophilia, low platelet counts), heart disease (including heart attack, chest pain, fast/irregular heartbeat), stroke, or kidney disease.
- Cilostazol may cause dizziness, and the use of alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can exacerbate this effect. Avoid activities requiring alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you can do so safely. Limit alcohol consumption and discuss marijuana use with your doctor.
- Exercise caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the risk of cuts, bruises, or injuries.
- Cilostazol may lead to stomach bleeding, and daily alcohol use while taking this medication may increase the risk. Limit alcoholic beverages and consult your doctor or pharmacist about a safe amount of alcohol consumption.
- This medication can cause QT prolongation, a condition affecting heart rhythm. This rare but serious condition may lead to fast/irregular heartbeat and other symptoms requiring immediate medical attention. Inform your doctor of all drugs you take and any relevant medical conditions, including certain heart problems, a family history of such problems, or low levels of potassium or magnesium in the blood.
- Before surgery, inform your doctor or dentist about all the products you use, including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products.
- Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of cilostazol, especially swelling of the hands/feet (fluid retention) or QT prolongation.
- During pregnancy, use this medication only when clearly needed and discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if cilostazol passes into breast milk, so consult your doctor before breastfeeding.