Pletal

Generic Name: cilostazol (Oral route)

sye-LOE-sta-zol

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Pletal

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Platelet Aggregation Inhibitor

Pharmacologic Class: Phosphodiesterase Inhibitor

Uses For Pletal

Cilostazol improves the flow of blood through blood vessels. It is used to reduce leg pain caused by poor circulation (intermittent claudication). Cilostazol makes it possible to walk farther before having to rest because of leg pain.

Cilostazol works by keeping blood from clotting and by dilating or relaxing the blood vessels.

Cilostazol is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using Pletal

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Studies on this medicine have been done only in adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of cilostazol in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

This medicine has been tested in a limited number of patients and has not been shown to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in younger adults.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	C	Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abciximab


• Alteplase, Recombinant


• Aspirin


• Bromfenac


• Celecoxib


• Citalopram


• Clopidogrel


• Dabigatran Etexilate


• Desirudin


• Desvenlafaxine


• Diclofenac


• Diflunisal


• Dipyridamole


• Duloxetine


• Eptifibatide


• Escitalopram


• Etodolac


• Fluoxetine


• Flurbiprofen


• Fluvoxamine


• Ginkgo


• Ibuprofen


• Ibuprofen Lysine


• Indomethacin


• Ketoprofen


• Ketorolac


• Magnesium Salicylate


• Mefenamic Acid


• Meloxicam


• Milnacipran


• Nabumetone


• Naproxen


• Nefazodone


• Nepafenac


• Oxaprozin


• Paroxetine


• Piroxicam


• Prasugrel


• Rivaroxaban


• Salsalate


• Sertraline


• Sulfinpyrazone


• Sulindac


• Ticlopidine


• Tirofiban


• Tolmetin


• Venlafaxine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Clarithromycin


• Diltiazem


• Erythromycin


• Ketoconazole


• Omeprazole

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following may cause an increased risk of certain side effects but may be unavoidable in some cases. If used together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use this medicine, or give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

• Grapefruit Juice

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Active bleeding (including peptic ulcers and intracranial bleeding [e.g., bleeding on the brain]) or


• Blood or blood clotting disorders or


• Congestive heart failure—This medicine should not be used.

• Kidney disease or


• Liver disease—Special caution should be used.

• Thrombocytopenia (low platelet count in the blood)—Caution should be used.

Proper Use of Pletal

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  
  • For treatment of peripheral vascular disease (circulation problems):
    
    • Adults—100 milligrams (mg) two times a day, taken at least one half hour before or two hours after breakfast and dinner. In patients who take certain other medicines at the same time as cilostazol, the dose may be 50 mg two times a day.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by a doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using Pletal

It may take several weeks for this medicine to work. If you feel that cilostazol is not working, do not stop taking it on your own. Instead, check with your doctor.

Smoking tobacco products, such as cigarettes, may worsen your condition since nicotine may further narrow blood vessels and may also affect how this medicine works. Therefore, it is best to avoid smoking.

You should not take cilostazol with grapefruit juice. You may, however, take it with other citrus juices.

Pletal Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Fast or irregular heartbeat


• fever

Less common

• Abnormal bleeding


• bloody or black tarry stools


• bruises and/or red spots on the skin


• fainting


• nausea, heartburn, and/or indigestion (severe or continuing)


• nosebleeds


• stiff neck


• stomach pain, cramping, or burning (severe)


• swelling of the tongue


• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• area rash


• bleeding gums


• bleeding tendency


• blistering, peeling, loosening of skin


• blood in urine or stools


• blurred vision


• chest pain


• chills


• clay-colored stools


• confusion


• cough or hoarseness


• coughing up blood


• dark urine


• diarrhea


• difficult breathing


• drowsiness


• fever with or without chills


• general feeling of tiredness or weakness


• headache, sudden and severe


• inability to speak


• irregular heartbeat


• itching of eyes


• itching of skin


• joint or muscle pain


• lab results that show problems with the liver


• light-colored stools


• loss of appetite


• loss of consciousness


• lower back or side pain


• nausea and vomiting


• painful or difficult urination


• pinpoint red spots on skin


• red, irritated eyes


• red skin lesions, often with a purple center


• seizures


• shortness of breath


• skin rash


• slurred speech


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth


• stomach pain


• swollen glands


• temporary blindness


• unpleasant breath odor


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• weakness in arm and/or leg on one side of the body, sudden and severe


• weakness of part of body


• wheezing


• yellow eyes or skin

Symptoms of overdose

• Diarrhea


• dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position


• fast or irregular heartbeat


• headache (severe)

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More commonLess common

• Bone pain


• burning feeling in throat or chest


• difficulty in swallowing


• hives


• pain or stiffness in joints


• ringing or buzzing in ears


• swelling of face, fingers, and/or lower legs

Incidence not known

• Bruising


• hot flushes


• pain

• Back pain


• dizziness


• gas


• headache


• increased cough


• pain or stiffness in muscles


• pounding heartbeat


• runny or stuffy nose


• sore throat


• swelling of arms or legs

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Pletal side effects (in more detail)

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More Pletal resources

• Pletal Side Effects (in more detail)
• Pletal Dosage
• Pletal Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Pletal Drug Interactions
• Pletal Support Group
• 1 Review for Pletal - Add your own review/rating

• Pletal Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Pletal MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Pletal Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Pletal Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Cilostazol Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Cilostazol Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

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