What are side effects of cilostazol?

CILOSTAZOL (sil OH sta zol) is used to treat the symptoms of intermittent claudication. This condition causes pain in the legs during walking, and goes away with rest. By improving blood flow, this medicine helps people with this condition walk longer distances without pain.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Pletal

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

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

• bleeding disorder or hemophilia
• history of heart failure, heart attack, or other heart disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to cilostazol, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Take this medicine by mouth with a full glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. Do not take with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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 may interact with this medicine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• agents that prevent or treat blood clots like enoxaparin or warfarin
• aspirin
• diltiazem
• erythromycin or clarithromycin
• omeprazole
• some medications for treating depression like fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, nefazodone
• some medications for treating fungal infections like ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medicine?

Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may take 2 to 4 weeks for your condition to start to get better once you begin taking this medicine. In some people, it can take as long as 3 months for the condition to get better.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

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

If you are going to have surgery, tell your doctor or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

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

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• chest pain
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• signs and symptoms of bleeding such as bloody or black, tarry stools; red or dark-brown urine; spitting up blood or brown material that looks like coffee grounds; red spots on the skin; unusual bruising or bleeding from the eye, gums, or nose
• swelling in the legs or ankles

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

• diarrhea
• headache
• nausea, or upset stomach

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.

What Other Drugs Interact with Cilostazol?

If your doctor has directed you to use this medication, your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor, health care provider, or pharmacist first.

• Cilostazol has no known severe interactions with other drugs.
• Cilostazol has serious interactions with at least 38 different drugs.
• Cilostazol has moderate interactions with at least 111 different drugs.
• Mild interactions of cilostazol include:

This information does not contain all possible interactions or adverse effects. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share this information with your doctor and pharmacist. Check with your health care professional or doctor for additional medical advice, or if you have health questions, concerns, or for more information about this medicine.

Pletal Side Effects Center

Medical Editor: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

Last reviewed on RxList 05/25/2017

Pletal (cilostazol) is a quinolinone derivative used for treatment of intermittent claudication and peripheral vascular disease. Generic formulations of Pletal are available. Side effects of Pletal include:

• headache,
• diarrhea,
• vomiting,
• abnormal stools,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• fast or pounding heartbeats,
• palpitations,
• swelling (edema),
• leg cramps,
• numbness or tingling,
• joint pain,
• cough,
• runny or stuffy nose, and
• infections.

Tell your doctor if you have serious side effects of Pletal including:

• severe headache
• bloody urine
• painful urination
• fever
• body aches
• flu symptoms
• chest pain
• shortness of beath, even with mild exertion
• swelling of your hands, ankles or feet
• easy bruising or bleeding
• black or bloody stools
• vomit that looks like coffee grounds, or
• signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat)

The usual dose is 100 mg twice daily 30 minutes before or 2 hours after a meal. It should not be used by patients with heart failure. Pletal may interact with clopidogrel, omeprazole, esomeprazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin, ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, diltiazem, fluvoxamine, fluoxetine, sertraline, or nefazodone. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment with Pletal; it may harm a fetus. Pletal passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding.

Our Pletal (cilostazol) Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org