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Overview: Cilostazol is used to reduce pain in your leg muscles when you exercise because they are not getting enough blood. It helps widen your blood vessels and keeps platelets from sticking together to improve blood flow in your legs. Common side effects can include headache, diarrhea, or abnormal poop. Serious side effects are much less common, but may include irregular heart beats or low blood pressure. Contact your health care provider if you have chest pain or shortness of breath. Before taking cilostazol, tell your health care provider about all of the medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

Uses

What is cilostazol used for?

Cilostazol is commonly used to reduce the symptoms of intermittent claudication.

Cilostazol may also be used for other conditions as determined by your health care provider.

How does cilostazol work (mechanism of action)?

Cilostazol helps widen blood vessels and prevents certain blood cells called platelets from sticking together and forming clots.

How is cilostazol supplied (dosage forms)?

Brands and other names

  • Pletal

Dosage forms and strengths

  • 50 mg oral tablets
  • 100 mg oral tablets

How should I store Cilostazol?

Cilostazol should be stored at room temperature, between 68 F and 77 F (20 C and 25 C). It can be exposed to temperatures between 59 F and 86 F (15 C and 30 C), for shorter periods of time, such as when transporting it. Store in a cool, dry place. Keep tightly closed. Protect from light.

Side Effects

What are the most common side effects of cilostazol?

The most common cilostazol side effects are listed below. Tell your health care provider if you have any of these side effects that bother you.

  • Headache
  • Diarrhea
  • Abnormal stools (poop)
  • Feeling of skipped heart beats

There may be other side effects of cilostazol that are not listed here. Contact your health care provider if you think you are having a side effect of a medicine. In the U.S., you can report side effects to the FDA at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch or by calling 800-FDA-1088 (800-332-1088). In Canada, you can report side effects to Health Canada at https://www.health.gc.ca/medeffect or by calling 866-234-2345.

What are the serious side effects of cilostazol?

While less common, the most serious side effects of cilostazol are described below, along with what to do if they happen.

Severe Allergic Reactions. Cilostazol may cause allergic reactions, which can be serious. Stop taking cilostazol and get help right away if you have any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction.

  • Breathing problems or wheezing
  • Racing heart
  • Fever or general ill feeling
  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
  • Trouble swallowing or throat tightness
  • Itching or skin rash
  • Bumps on the skin called hives that can be red, pink, white, or brown depending on your skin tone
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Dizziness, feeling lightheaded, or fainting
  • Stomach cramps
  • Joint pain

Heart Problems. Cilostazol may cause heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat, palpitations, a fast heartbeat (tachycardia), or low blood pressure (hypotension). Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms.

  • Chest pain
  • Shortness of breath
  • Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or fainting

Blood Disorders. Cilostazol can cause blood disorders, such as agranulocytosis, low platelet levels (thrombocytopenia), and low white blood cell levels (leukopenia). Keep all appointments to have your blood checked. Call your health care provider right away if you have any of the following symptoms of blood disorders.

  • Unusual weakness or tiredness
  • Frequent infection
  • Fever
  • Easy bruising or bleeding

Warnings & Precautions

Who should not use cilostazol?

Allergies to Ingredients. People who are allergic to any of the following should not take cilostazol.

  • Cilostazol
  • Pletal
  • Any of the ingredients in the specific product dispensed

Your pharmacist can tell you all of the ingredients in the specific cilostazol products they stock.

Heart Failure. Do not take cilostazol if you have heart failure of any severity.

What should I know about cilostazol before using it?

Do not take cilostazol unless it has been prescribed to you by a health care provider. Take it as prescribed.

Do not share cilostazol with other people, even if they have the same condition as you. It may harm them.

Keep cilostazol out of the reach of children.

You may feel better 2 to 4 weeks after starting cilostazol, but it may take up to 12 weeks. Tell your health care provider if your symptoms do not get better after 3 months.

Cilostazol may affect your alertness or coordination. Do not drive or do other activities that require alertness or coordination until you know how cilostazol affects you.

What should I tell my health care provider before using cilostazol?

Tell your health care provider about all of your health conditions and any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. This will help them know if cilostazol is right for you.

In particular, make sure that you discuss any of the following.

Current and Past Health Conditions. Tell your health care provider if you have any of the following.

  • Chest pain
  • History of heart attack
  • A type of heart disease called coronary artery disease
  • Bleeding disorders or active bleeding such as from a stomach ulcer
  • Liver problems

Other Medicines and Supplements. Cilostazol may interact with other medicines and supplements. Before taking cilostazol, tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using. See the Interactions section below for more details.

Pregnancy. It is not known if or how cilostazol could affect pregnancy or harm a fetus. Tell your health care provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

Breastfeeding. It is not known if cilostazol passes into breast milk. Tell your health care provider if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. You should either stop breastfeeding or stop taking cilostazol.

Interactions

Does cilostazol interact with foods or drinks?

Take cilostazol 30 minutes before you eat or 2 hours after you eat.

Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice because you may have an increased risk for side effects from cilostazol. 

It is unknown if drinking alcohol will affect cilostazol. The risk of dizziness may be increased if you drink alcohol while taking cilostazol.

Does cilostazol interact with other medicines (drug interactions)?

Always tell your health care provider about any prescription or over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, vitamins/minerals, herbal products, and other supplements you are using.

In particular, make sure that you discuss if you are using any of the following before taking cilostazol.

  • Ketoconazole, itraconazole, fluconazole, or voriconazole, which is a medicine used to treat fungal infections
  • Erythromycin or clarithromycin, which is a medicine to treat bacterial infections
  • Ticlopidine, which is a medicine used to prevent stroke
  • Diltiazem, which is a medicine to treat chest pain and high blood pressure
  • Omeprazole, which is a medicine to treat indigestion, heartburn, and acid reflux
  • Saquinavir or ritonavir, which is a medicines to treat HIV
  • Nefazodone, which is a medicine to treat depression

Some other medicines may alter the blood levels of cilostazol. Tell your health care provider about all medicines that you take or have recently taken.

This may not be a complete list of medicines that can interact with cilostazol. Always check with your health care provider.

Does interact with other drugs you are taking?

Enter your medication into the WebMD interaction checker

Overdose/Missed Dose

What should I do if I accidentally use too much cilostazol?

If you or someone else has taken too much cilostazol, get medical help right away, call 911, or contact a Poison Control center at 800-222-1222.

What should I do if I miss a dose of cilostazol?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and only take the next dose. Do not take double or extra doses.