Cilostazol tablets

What are cilostazol tablets?

CILOSTAZOL (Pletal®) is a medication that reduces the symptoms of intermittent claudication. This condition causes pain in the legs during walking, and goes away with rest. Cilostazol helps blood flow more smoothly through the blood vessels; this action improves oxygen flow to the tissues of the body. By improving blood flow, cilostazol helps people with claudication walk longer distances without pain. In some cases cilostazol may be prescribed for other health conditions where improved blood flow through the blood vessels is needed. Generic cilostazol tablets are available.

What should my health care professional know before I take cilostazol?

They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:

• angina

• bleeding disorder or hemophilia

• diabetes

• headaches

• history of heart failure, heart attack, or other heart disease

• low blood pressure

• an unusual or allergic reaction to cilostazol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take cilostazol tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with plenty of water (at least a full glass) to avoid stomach upset. Take on an empty stomach, at least ½ hour before or 2 hours after a meal. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What drug(s) may interact with cilostazol?

• agents that prevent or treat blood clots (such as enoxaparin or warfarin)

• antiinflammatory drugs (NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or ketoprofen)

• aspirin

• cimetidine (do not purchase non-prescription without prescriber advice)

• clopidogrel

• diltiazem

• erythromycin or clarithromycin

• fish oil (omega-3 fatty acids) supplements

• herbal medicines or dietary supplements like feverfew, garlic pills, ginger, gingko biloba, or horse chestnut

• grapefruit juice

• omeprazole

• pentoxifylline

• some medications for treating depression (examples: fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone)

• some medications for treating fungal infections (examples: ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole)

• ticlopidine

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking cilostazol?

After you start to take cilostazol, it may take 2—4 weeks for you to notice improvement in your condition. In some people, it can take as long as 3 months for claudication (leg pain) to improve.

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Do not stop taking cilostazol except on your prescriber's advice. If you notice any unusual symptoms or side effects, contact your prescriber.

You may get dizzy, especially when you sit or stand up quickly. Do not drive, use machinery or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how cilostazol affects you. To reduce dizzy spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can increase dizziness, so try to avoid alcoholic drinks.

Grapefruit juice can increase the levels of cilostazol in your body, which could increase the risk of unwanted side effects. Try to avoid drinking grapefruit juice while on this medicine.

Smoking tobacco may have effects on the circulation that may limit the benefits you receive from cilostazol. You may wish to discuss how to stop smoking with your prescriber or health care professional.

Ask your prescriber or health care professional before you take certain non-prescription (OTC) pain relievers. These include aspirin, aspirin-containing products, and products that contain NSAIDs: like Motrin®, Aleve® and Orudis-KT®. These OTC medications could interfere with your cilostazol therapy. While taking aspirin with cilostazol may be beneficial for you, check with your prescriber prior to taking this combination on your own.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking cilostazol.

What side effects may I notice from taking cilostazol?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat

• fluid (edema) in the legs or ankles

• palpitations, chest pain or tightness

Rare:

• black, tarry stools

• blood in urine or stools

• nosebleed or bleeding from gums

• skin rash or itching (hives)

• unusual bruising

• unusually heavy menstrual bleeding

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• dizziness

• diarrhea, or changes in stool appearance or frequency ("loose stools")

• headache

• nausea, or upset stomach

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.