Cilostazol for peripheral arterial disease

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
cilostazol	Pletal

How It Works

Researchers do not completely understand how cilostazol relieves intermittent claudication. It may increase blood flow to the legs by inhibiting clotting and by causing the blood vessels to widen.

Why It Is Used

Cilostazol is used to treat intermittent claudication in people who have peripheral arterial disease (PAD).

How Well It Works

Cilostazol may help people who experience pain when walking (intermittent claudication). This medicine may increase the distance that some people can walk before pain begins.¹

Side Effects

Side effects of cilostazol include:

• A headache.
• A strong and rapid heart rate.
• Diarrhea.
• Dizziness.
• An upset stomach and nausea.
• Increased cough.
• Abdominal, back, and/or muscle pain.

In 2004, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration released a warning about other side effects. These include chest pain, hot flashes, cerebral hemorrhage, angina pectoris, low blood pressure, abnormal liver function tests, jaundice, vomiting, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, bleeding tendency, paresthesia, hyperglycemia, pulmonary hemorrhage, interstitial pneumonia, pruritus, skin eruptions (including Stevens-Johnson syndrome), rash, increased BUN and hematuria.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

If you have heart failure, do not take cilostazol.

Cilostazol should not be taken with food. It should be taken 1/2 hour before eating or 2 hours after eating.

Do not drink grapefruit juice if you are taking cilostazol. Grapefruit juice may change how cilostazol works in your body.

Pregnant women and women who are breast-feeding should not take this drug unless absolutely needed. The effects of this medicine on a fetus or on an infant who is breast-feeding are not yet known.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: October 30, 2007
Medical Review:	Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine David A. Szalay, MD - Vascular Surgery
© 1995-2009 Healthwise, Incorporated. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Healthwise, Incorporated.This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.