Cilostazole
About Cilostazole
Cilostazole is a prescription medication used to improve the symptoms of a condition called intermittent claudication. This condition causes painful muscle cramping in your legs during physical activity, such as walking, due to narrowed arteries that restrict blood flow. This medicine helps you walk longer distances before needing to stop and rest due to leg pain.
To get the best results, you must take Cilostazole consistently every day, usually twice a day. You should take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after your morning and evening meals. Combining this treatment with structured physical therapy and heart-healthy lifestyle habits can significantly enhance your physical mobility.
While taking Cilostazole, some people may experience mild side effects, such as headaches or runny nose. However, you should contact your doctor immediately if you notice more serious symptoms, including chest pain, an unusually fast or pounding heartbeat, or unexpected bruising and bleeding.
Do not take this medicine if you have heart failure of any severity, as it can worsen your condition. You should also avoid this medication if you currently have an active bleeding disorder, such as a bleeding stomach ulcer. If you have a history of liver damage or kidney disease, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before starting this treatment to ensure it is safe for you.
Cilostazole can interact with other substances, such as blood thinners, certain stomach acid medications, and grapefruit juice, which may increase the risk of side effects. It is also important to avoid smoking, as nicotine constricts blood vessels and reduces the effectiveness of the treatment. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an elderly individual, consult your healthcare provider before taking this medication.
Uses of Cilostazole
Medicinal Benefits
Cilostazole helps improve mobility and quality of life by enhancing blood flow to the lower limbs.
- Improves walking distance: By increasing blood circulation to the legs, Cilostazole can help you walk farther before experiencing pain or discomfort.
- Reduces leg pain and cramping: Regular use may decrease the frequency and severity of muscle cramps, pain, and fatigue associated with intermittent claudication.
- Enhances daily mobility: Improved circulation can make it easier to perform everyday activities, participate in social events, and engage in light physical exercise.
- Supports a more active lifestyle: Better blood flow helps deliver oxygen and nutrients to leg muscles during movement, promoting greater comfort and endurance.
- Improves overall quality of life: By reducing symptoms and increasing physical function, Cilostazole can help people maintain greater independence and confidence in their daily routines.
Directions for Use
To get the best results from Cilostazole, it is important to take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- Swallow the tablet whole with a full glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or split the tablet unless your doctor specifically instructs you to do so.
- Take Cilostazole on an empty stomach, either 30 minutes before meals or 2 hours after meals, as food can affect how the medication is absorbed.
- Try to take your doses at the same times each day to maintain consistent levels of the medicine in your body.
- Follow your doctor's prescribed treatment schedule carefully and attend any recommended follow-up appointments.
- Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without consulting your doctor, as this may reduce its effectiveness in managing your symptoms.
Storage
Side Effects of Cilostazole
Common Side Effects (Usually mild)
- Headaches
- Loose stools or diarrhoea
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Runny, stuffy nose or sinus pressure
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away)
- Severe, sharp chest pain or shortness of breath
- A rapid, pounding, or irregular heartbeat (palpitations)
- Unusual bruising, nosebleeds, or blood in your stool
- Sudden swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as a skin rash, itching, or swelling of the face, tongue, and throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid taking this medicine with a high-fat meal: Never take this medication with a high-fat meal, as this can dramatically increase absorption and raise your risk of severe side effects.
- Before surgery or dental procedures: If you need surgery or a dental procedure, inform your surgeon or dentist that you are taking Cilostazole, as you may need to stop taking it temporarily to prevent excess bleeding.
- Take extra care to prevent injuries: Be cautious when using sharp objects, like razors or nail clippers, because this medicine makes you more prone to bleeding.
- Monitor your heart rate regularly: Check your pulse regularly and notify your healthcare provider if you notice your heart beating much faster than usual.
Drug Interactions
Cilostazole may interact with medications that affect blood clotting or alter how the drug is metabolised in the body.
- Blood thinners and antiplatelet medicines: Taking these medications with Cilostazole may increase the risk of bleeding.
- Omeprazole and similar stomach acid-reducing medicines: These can increase the levels of Cilostazole in the bloodstream, potentially increasing the risk of side effects.
- Certain antibiotics and antifungal medications: These medicines may raise Cilostazole levels in the body, making adverse effects more likely.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
safe if prescribedNo interaction found; in case of any discomfort, consult your doctor.
Pregnancy
cautionCilostazole is not recommended during pregnancy unless your doctor considers it essential. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you.
Breast Feeding
unsafeCilostazole is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it may harm the baby.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution, Cilostazole may cause blurry vision and dizziness or weariness may occur.
Liver
cautionCilostazole to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionCilostazole 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
unsafeCilostazole is not recommended for children. The safety and effectiveness of Cilostazole have not been established in children due to limited testing of this drug on children. If necessary, your doctor will decide whether to give Cilostazole or not.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Participate in a walking program: Engaging in a regular, structured walking routine can significantly improve the distance you can walk over time when combined with this medication.
- Stop smoking: Tobacco smoke narrows your blood vessels and actively worsens peripheral arterial disease, counteracting the benefits of Cilostazole.
- Eat a heart-healthy diet: Focus on foods low in saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol to prevent further buildup of plaque in your arteries.
- Avoid grapefruit products: Do not consume grapefruit or grapefruit juice, as it can interfere with how your body processes this medicine.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Intermittent claudication: Intermittent claudication, also known as vascular claudication, is a symptom in which muscle pain or mild exertion occurs during exercise. The pain is generally felt in the calf muscle. Symptoms include cramping, aching, fatigue, and numbness.
FAQs
Cilostazole is used to treat intermittent claudication (pain in the legs due to insufficient blood flow). It also reduces cramping, numbness, or weakness in the legs when walking in such patients.
Cilostazole works by widening the blood vessels and reducing the blood clotting time, thereby decreasing stickiness in blood vessels. Hence, it increases the blood supply to the limbs. It can also increase the distance you can walk without pain since it improves your leg's blood circulation.
No, you should not stop taking Cilostazole even if you feel better, as the pain might come back and become even worse.
Yes, taking Cilostazole can increase bleeding risk as it contains cilostazole, which increases bleeding time. So, please be very cautious while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails, or using sharp objects to avoid bleeding. Let your doctor know before undergoing any surgical procedure that you are taking Cilostazole.
No, it is a prescribed drug given by a physician for preventing specific medical conditions. Taking it on your own can cause unwanted side effects.
If you forget to take Cilostazole at any time, take it as soon as you remember, then continue to take it at the usual times. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.
Cilostazole may cause side effects like headaches, ankle swelling, diarrhoea, abnormal stools, vomiting, and nausea. Most of these side effects of Cilostazole do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Cilostazole might lower the blood pressure; taking Cilostazole with blood pressure-lowering medicines might further decrease the blood pressure. Therefore, please consult the doctor before taking Cilostazole with other blood pressure-lowering medicines.
No, do not smoke if you are taking Cilostazole, as smoking might affect the working of Cilostazole.
You are advised to take Cilostazole for the duration prescribed by the doctor. The duration of treatment will depend on your condition and response to the treatment.
Yes, you may need to stop taking Cilostazole a few days before surgery to avoid the increased risk of bleeding during the procedure. Let the doctor know if you are due to undergo surgery.
Cilostazole might lower the blood pressure as it widens the blood vessels. Therefore, if you have low blood pressure/high blood pressure or if you are taking blood pressure-lowering medicines, please consult a doctor.
No, you should take Cilostazole on an empty stomach, either 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner. Taking it with food, especially high-fat meals, can cause too much of the drug to be absorbed. Talk to your doctor if you have trouble timing your doses.
Many patients begin to notice an improvement in their walking distance within 2 to 4 weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks of consistent use to experience the full benefits. Talk to your doctor if your symptoms do not improve after 3 months.
This medication belongs to a class of drugs that can increase the risk of severe heart complications and mortality in patients with heart failure of any severity. Do not take this medicine if you have heart failure. Talk to your doctor for safer alternatives.
It is highly recommended to limit or avoid alcohol while taking Cilostazole. Alcohol can widen your blood vessels further, which may worsen side effects like dizziness, lightheadedness, and headaches. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
Headaches are a very common side effect when starting this medication and often improve as your body adjusts. However, if your headache is severe, persistent, or accompanied by vision changes, talk to your doctor or pharmacist immediately.
Taking aspirin with Cilostazole can increase your risk of bleeding because both medications reduce blood clotting. You should only take them together if your doctor specifically prescribes both and monitors your health closely. Talk to your doctor about all the medications you use.
Cilostazole is generally not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding due to a lack of safety data on how it affects developing babies. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor to explore safer treatment options.
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