Cilostazol is used to improve the symptoms of a certain blood flow problem in the legs (intermittent claudication). Cilostazol can decrease the muscle pain/cramps that occur during exercise/walking. Claudication pain is caused by too little oxygen getting to the muscles. Cilostazol can increase blood flow and the amount of oxygen that gets to the muscles. Cilostazol is an antiplatelet drug and a vasodilator. It works by stopping blood cells called platelets from sticking together and prevents them from forming harmful clots. It also widens blood vessels in the legs. Cilostazol helps the blood to move more easily and keeps blood flowing smoothly in your body.
Read the Patient Information Leaflet if available from your pharmacist before you start taking cilostazol and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Take this medication by mouth without food as directed by your doctor, usually twice daily, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner. The dosage is based on your medical condition, response to treatment, and other medications you may be taking. Be sure to tell your doctor and pharmacist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription drugs, and herbal products). Use this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Your symptoms may improve in 2-4 weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug. Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.
Headache, diarrhea, runny nose, and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: swelling hands/feet, easy bruising/bleeding, black/bloody stools, vomit that looks like coffee grounds, signs of infection (such as fever, persistent sore throat). Get medical help right away if you have any 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, slurred speech, confusion. A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and pets. Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: "blood thinners" (such as heparin, warfarin), certain other antiplatelet drugs (such as dipyridamole), tipranavir. This medication is sometimes used together with other drugs that may increase your risk of bleeding. Examples are certain antiplatelet drugs (such as aspirin, clopidogrel). Follow your doctor's instructions carefully and continue your medications as directed. Tell your doctor if you notice unusual bleeding. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many medications contain pain relievers/fever reducers (aspirin, NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen) which can increase the risk of bleeding/antiplatelet effect when used with cilostazol. However, if your doctor has directed you to take low-dose aspirin to prevent heart attack or stroke (usually at dosages of 81-325 milligrams a day), you should continue taking the aspirin unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe headache, very fast/irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness.