How Cilostazol works

Cilostazol widens the blood vessels and decreases the stickiness of the platelets which increases blood flow to the lower limbs.

Side Effects

Headache, Palpitations, Abnormal stool, Diarrhoea, Dizziness, Chest pain, Loss of appetite, Bleeding, Rash

Usage

Cilostazol is used in the treatment of intermittent claudication
It helps in reducing the symptoms of intermittent claudication like pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the legs that occurs on walking.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for treating systemic sclerosis?

Cilostazol is used as a maintenance therapy for Raynaud's phenomenon in patients with systemic sclerosis. Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by spasm of blood vessels of extremities causing pale to blue to red sequence of color changes of fingers mainly after exposure to cold. Cilostazol is helpful in this condition because of its vasodilating properties.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for erectile dysfunction?

Cilostazol is not used for the treatment of erectile dysfunction. It is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is used to treat peripheral vascular disease.

Q. Can Cilostazol be given in patients with underlying renal function?

Use of Cilostazol is contraindicated in patients with severe renal disease because its metabolite levels are increased in these patients and can cause harmful effects. It can be used safely in patients with mild to moderate renal disease.

Q. How is Cilostazol useful in treating peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular disease is associated with intermittent claudication which causes pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the legs while walking. This occurs due to blockage of arteries and insufficient blood flow to legs. Cilostazol increases blood flow and reduces the symptoms of intermittent claudication by widening the arteries and keeping the blood thin (does not allow platelets to stick together and form clots).

Q. Is it advisable to take Cilostazol with clarithromycin?

Clarithromycin can increase the level or effect of Cilostazol by blocking its breakdown (inhibits metabolism). The dose of Cilostazol may need to be adjusted if you have to take clarithromycin or other similar antibiotics like erythromycin along with.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for percutaneous coronary interventions (coronary stenting)?

Cilostazol, when used with aspirin and clopidogrel, was found to be superior compared to aspirin and clopidogrel dual combination in preventing coronary artery restenosis or in-stent thrombosis in patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention without increasing the risk of bleeding. However, this is not an approved use and these benefits were seen in some clinical studies.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for the prevention of stroke?

Cilostazol can prevent new episodes of stroke without increasing the risk of bleeding in patients who once had an episode of ischaemic stroke. It is also seen to be effective for primary prevention of stroke in patients with peripheral artery disease. However, these are not approved uses and the benefits were seen in some clinical studies.

Q. What is the effect of Cilostazol on exercise?

Cilostazol decreases the muscle pain or cramps that occur during exercise in patients with intermittent claudication. Cilostazol can improve exercise capacity as judged by changes in maximal walking distance and pain-free walking distance.

Q. What are the contraindications to the use of Cilostazol?

Cilostazol is contraindicated in patients with blood, and clotting disorders, heart failure or active pathologic bleeding like bleeding peptic ulcer and intracranial bleeding and known or suspected hypersensitivity to Cilostazol or any of its components.

Q. When to stop Cilostazol before surgery or regional anesthesia?

Cilostazol should be stopped at least five days before surgery if the antiplatelet effect is not needed during the surgery. Due to reversible antiplatelet action and short half-life (11-13 h) of Cilostazol, the risk of surgical bleeding is less and regional anesthesia can be safely administered if it is stopped at least 72 h prior to surgery. However, Cilostazol should be stopped only after consulting your doctor and the surgeon.

Q. Can I take Cilostazol with sildenafil?

Cilostazol can be taken with sildenafil. There are no reported drug interactions or harmful effects when Cilostazol is taken along with sildenafil.

Q. Why take Cilostazol on an empty stomach?

Cilostazol is to be taken 30 minutes before breakfast or evening meal as food increases the absorption of Cilostazol causing an increased incidence of side-effects.

Q. Can I take Cilostazol with warfarin?

Cilostazol, when taken with warfarin, can increase the risk of bleeding. So they should be used very cautiously and a regular monitoring by your doctor is advisable to decrease the risk of bleeding.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for varicose veins?

Cilostazol is not useful for the management of varicose veins. These are enlarged tortuous veins mainly of the lower limbs. These are treated with compression stockings, sclerotherapy (injecting some substances for closing these veins) or some surgical procedures.

Q. Is it beneficial to take Cilostazol with aspirin?

Cilostazol, when taken with aspirin, is seen to improve long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty. However, there can be an increased risk of bleeding as both inhibit platelet aggregation and make blood thin. If you are taking Cilostazol with aspirin, you should be monitored very closely by your doctor.

Q. What was the role of Cilostazol in restenosis trial?

Cilostazol for RESTenosis (CREST) clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Cilostazol in inhibiting restenosis after stent implantation. The results showed a significant reduction in the occurrence of restenosis with the use of Cilostazol over the standard therapy after coronary stenting.

Q. Can I take Cilostazol with ticagrelor?

Cilostazol and ticagrelor, when used together, can increase the effects of each other by inhibiting clotting of blood and increasing the risk of bleeding. Avoid taking them together or you should be monitored very closely by your doctor.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for the treatment of neuropathy?

Animal studies demonstrate the beneficial role of Cilostazol for the treatment of neuropathy. However, human studies do not show any beneficial role of Cilostazol in treating neuropathy.

Q. Is Cilostazol safe?

Cilostazol is safe if used at prescribed doses for the prescribed duration as advised by your doctor. However, there are some very common side effects that you can experience at therapeutic doses which include a headache, abnormal stool, and diarrhea.

Q. Can I take Cilostazol with clopidogrel?

Cilostazol, when taken with clopidogrel, is seen to improve long-term outcomes in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary angioplasty. However, there can be an increased risk of bleeding as both inhibit platelet aggregation and make blood thin. If you are taking Cilostazol with clopidogrel, you should be monitored very closely by your doctor.

Q. How is Cilostazol useful in arterial hypertension?

Cilostazol is not useful for arterial hypertension. It is used in the management of intermittent claudication associated with peripheral artery disease.

Q. When should I stop taking Cilostazol?

Do not stop Cilostazol unless advised by your doctor. Continue to take Cilostazol even if you feel better. Stop taking Cilostazol only if you experience easy bruising, bleeding, fever or a sore throat and immediately inform your doctor.

Q. Can I take Cilostazol with omeprazole?

Omeprazole can increase the level or effect of Cilostazol by blocking its breakdown (inhibits metabolism). Avoid using them together. An alternative medicine should be preferred.

Q. Can I use Cilostazol with atorvastatin?

Cilostazol can be taken with atorvastatin. No harmful effects or drug interactions have been seen or reported when Cilostazol is taken along with atorvastatin.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for aspirin allergy?

Cilostazol can be used in place of aspirin in patients who have an allergy to a spirin.

Q. Is it advisable to take Cilostazol with acenocoumarol?

Cilostazol, when taken with acenocoumarol, can increase the risk of bleeding. So they should be used very cautiously and a regular monitoring by your doctor is advisable to decrease the risk of bleeding.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful for the treatment of venous insufficiency?

There is no evidence at present which recommends the use of Cilostazol in the routine therapy of venous insufficiency.

Q. Is Cilostazol useful in treating diabetes?

Cilostazol is not useful in lowering the blood sugar levels in patients with diabetes. However, as seen in some clinical studies, it may help in relieving the symptoms of intermittent claudication (pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the legs on walking) seen in some patients with diabetes.

Q. Why is Cilostazol contraindicated in heart failure?

Cilostazol can increase the patient's heart rate, affect the heart rhythm and there is clinical evidence that it can increase mortality in patients with heart failure. So, Cilostazol is contraindicated in these patients.

Q. Is Cilostazol an anticoagulant?

Cilostazol is not an anticoagulant. It is a vasodilator with an anti-platelet aggregatory effect. It works by preventing platelets (blood cells) from sticking together and widens the blood vessels of the legs. This increases the blood flow in the peripheries.

Q. Is Cilostazol a statin?

No, Cilostazol is not a statin. It is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation, and is useful in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Q. Is Cilostazol a blood thinner?

No, Cilostazol is not a blood thinner. It is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation, and is useful in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Q. Is Cilostazol a beta blocker?

No, Cilostazol is not a beta blocker. It is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation, and is useful in the treatment of peripheral vascular disease.

Q. Is Cilostazol a better choice for the treatment of intermittent claudication compared to pentoxifylline?

Cilostazol is seen to be much better than pentoxifylline for increasing walking distances in patients with intermittent claudication but is associated with increased rates of side effects like a headache, palpitations, and diarrhea.

Q. Is Cilostazol a controlled substance?

Cilostazol is not a controlled substance. It's a prescription medicine and is available on providing a valid prescription by a doctor.

Q. Is Cilostazol a narcotic substance?

No, Cilostazol is not a narcotic substance. It's a prescription medicine and is available on providing a valid prescription by a doctor.

Q. Is Cilostazol an anticonception medicine?

No, Cilostazol is not an anticonception medicine. It is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is used to treat peripheral vascular disease.

Q. Is Cilostazol an antibiotic?

No, Cilostazol is not an antibiotic. It is a vasodilator and inhibits platelet aggregation. It is used to treat peripheral vascular disease.