Cilostazol
About Cilostazol
Cilostazol consists of the anti-platelet drug (blood thinner) primarily used to treat intermittent claudication (pain, tingling, and numbness in the legs). Intermittent claudication is the pain that occurs in the legs after walking at a specific speed and for a specific amount of time, depending on the seriousness of the condition. This pain generally is not constant. It occurs during walking and exercise and is relieved with rest.
Cilostazol belongs to a class of medications called a blood thinner or an antiplatelet medication. Cilostazol plays a vital role in preventing the formation of harmful blood clots (plaque) in your veins. Cilostazol works by expanding the veins and reducing the stickiness of the platelets. Therefore, enhancing the blood flow to the lower limbs.
Take Cilostazol as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Cilostazol as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you, depending on your medical conditions. You may experience headache, dizziness, diarrhoea, abnormal stool, palpitations (racing or skipping a heartbeat), chest pain, bleeding, loss of appetite, and rashes. Most of these side effects of Cilostazol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
If you are known to be allergic to Cilostazol or any of its components, please tell your doctor. Cilostazol should not be taken in pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding women. Cilostazol should not be given to people with a bleeding disorder (haemophilia). Cilostazol may cause drowsiness and dizziness, so it is advisable to avoid driving unless you are alert. Cilostazol is not recommended for use in children.
Uses of Cilostazol
Medicinal Benefits
Cilostazol plays a vital role in preventing the formation of harmful blood clots in your veins by making platelets (clotting agents) stick together. Cilostazol is used to decrease the symptoms of intermittent claudication (pain in the legs that develops when walking and improves when resting that is produced by narrowing of the vein that supplies blood to the legs). Cilostazol works by expanding the veins and reducing the stickiness of the platelets. Therefore, it enhances the blood flow to the legs.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Cilostazol
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Diarrhea
- Abnormal stool
- Palpitations (racing or skipping a heartbeat)
- Chest pain
- Bleeding
- Loss of appetite
- Rashes
Drug Warnings
If you are known to be allergic to Cilostazol or any of its components, please tell your doctor. Prolonged use of Cilostazol can cause bleeding problems (like nosebleeds, heavier periods, bleeding gums, and easy bruising). If you are going to have any surgery, discontinue taking Cilostazol before the surgery. Cilostazol should not be taken in the conditions like heart failure, chest pain, heart attack, and heart surgery. Cilostazol should not be taken if you have an increased risk of bleeding like stomach ulcers, stroke, or problems with your eyes if you have diabetes. Before taking Cilostazol inform your doctor if your blood pressure is not well controlled. Cilostazol should not be taken in conditions if you have severe kidney disease. Cilostazol should not be taken in pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding women. Cilostazol should be not given to people with a bleeding disorder (hemophilia). Cilostazol may cause drowsiness and dizziness it is advisable to avoid driving unless you are alert. Cilostazol is not recommended for use in children.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Cilostazol may have interaction with other blood thinners (aspirin, clopidogrel, warfarin), antibiotics (erythromycin, clarithromycin, rifampicin), fungal infections medicines (ketoconazole), antacid (omeprazole), blood-pressure-lowering medicines (diltiazem), cholesterol-lowering medicines (lovastatin, simvastatin or atorvastatin), medicines for malaria (halofantrine), medicines for mental illness (pimozide), medicines used for migraine (ergotamine, dihydroergotamine), water pills (hydrochlorothiazide, furosemide).
Drug-Food Interaction: Cilostazol may interact with a large amount of grapefruit juice and St John’s wort plant (used as an antidepressant).
Drug-Disease Interaction: Cilostazol should not be given to people with a bleeding disorder, liver disease, and heart disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou can drink alcohol with Cilostazol. But do not drink too much while taking this medicine. It can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Pregnancy
cautionCilostazol should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionCilostazol should not be taken until prescribed. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionCilostazol may cause dizziness. So, it is not recommended to drive or operate heavy machinery when you take Cilostazol.
Liver
safe if prescribedCilostazol is safely given to the liver patients as there have been no published reports of hepatotoxicity. No dosage adjustment is necessary for patients with liver disease.
Kidney
cautionCilostazol to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeCilostazol is not recommended for children. The safety and effectiveness of Cilostazol have not been established in children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
As a precautionary measure, you are recommended not to consume alcohol, junk food items from outside, stick to a freshly prepared home-cooked meal, and take proper rest, for a speedy recovery.
Foods like avocados, olive oil, fatty fish, and nuts contain lots of heart-healthy unsaturated fats, so it is beneficial to eat them regularly.
Take Cilostazol at least half an hour before or two hours after breakfast and dinner.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Intermittent claudication is the pain that occurs in the legs after walking at a specific speed and for a specific amount of time, depending on the seriousness of the condition. This pain generally is not constant. It occurs during walking and exercise and is relieved with rest. In this disease, muscles of the leg do not get enough blood while you exercise. Sometimes, it causes complications like pain occurs even when you are not exercising.
FAQs
Cilostazol consists of the anti-platelet drug (blood thinner) primarily used to treat intermittent claudication (pain, tingling, and numbness in the legs).
Cilostazol belongs to a class of medications called a blood thinner or an antiplatelet medication. Cilostazol plays a vital role in preventing the formation of harmful blood clots (plaque) in your veins. Cilostazol works by expands the veins and reduces the stickiness of the platelets. Therefore, enhancing the blood flow to the lower limbs.
Yes, Cilostazol increases the risk of bleeding. Always be careful while doing activities that may lead to bleeding or an injury. Immediately inform your doctor if you observe any abnormal damaging or bleeding.
Cilostazol decreases your risk of developing blood clots in the veins of your leg, heart, lungs, and brain. You may not feel any change after taking Cilostazol. However, keep taking this Cilostazol as recommended by your doctor as you will still be receiving its full advantages.
Since Cilostazol widens veins, it generally reduces blood pressure. Hence, if you are taking medicines that lower blood pressure, you should be cautious. Taking Cilostazol with other blood pressure-lowering medicines may reduce your blood pressure to very low amounts. Monitor your blood pressure frequently and talk to your doctor if dose adjustment is needed. Cilostazol has also been reported to raise blood pressure and the reason for which is unknown.
Yes, Cilostazol causes blood thinning. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together and forming clots.
Please consult your doctor if Cilostazol needs to be stopped before undergoing surgery. The doctor might ask you to stop taking Cilostazol a few days before surgery to avoid the increased risk of bleeding during the procedure.
