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CHEMICAL NAME CILOSTAZOL.
INDICATIONS Cilostazol is used to reduce leg pain when walking and limping caused by blood circulation disease (peripheral vascular disease). This medication helps to increase your walking distance by improving blood and oxygen flow in the legs. It works by widening blood vessels in the legs and by blocking certain blood cells called platelets to prevent them from forming harmful blood clots. Cilostazol may also be used after certain types of heart procedures to prevent blood vessels from narrowing and harmful blood clots.
DIRECTIONS Take Cilostazol Tablets by mouth, usually twice daily, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast and dinner, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy. Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. Remember to use it at the same times each day. Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while being treated with this medication unless your doctor instructs you otherwise. Grapefruit juice can increase the amount of certain medications in your bloodstream. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Your symptoms may improve in 2-4 weeks, but it may take up to 12 weeks to notice a benefit from this drug. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens. MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.
SIDE EFFECTS Headache, diarrhea, and dizziness may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these serious side effects occur: fast/pounding/irregular heartbeat, swelling of the hands/feet. Tell your doctor immediately if any of these highly unlikely but very serious side effects occur: fainting, vision changes, one-sided weakness, slurred speech, confusion, chest pain, yellowing of the eyes/skin, easy bruising/bleeding, black or bloody stools, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), cough with trouble breathing. A serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS Before taking cilostazol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or if you have any other allergies. This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: congestive heart failure, bleeding disorders (e.g., bleeding ulcers). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: other heart disease (e.g., recent heart attack, unstable angina, arrhythmias), recent stroke, kidney disease, liver disease, certain blood disorders (thrombocytopenia or low platelet counts). Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. This drug may make you dizzy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is not known if this medication passes into breast milk. Because of the potential risk to a nursing infant, breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
OVERDOSAGE If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may include: severe headache, very fast/ irregular heartbeat, or severe dizziness.
INFORMATION Do not share this medication with others. Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
NOTES The above information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician,pharmacist, or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indicate that the use of the product is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before taking the product.
DRUG INTERACTIONS Before using Cilostazol, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: "blood thinners" (e.g., heparin, warfarin), other "anti-platelet" drugs (e.g., clopidogrel, dipyridamole, ticlopidine), drugs affecting the removal of cilostazol from your system (CYP 3A4 and 2C19 substrates, inhibitors and inducers such as azole antifungals, macrolide antibiotics, diltiazem, nefazodone, SSRI antidepressants, cimetidine, rifamycins, St John's wort, certain anti-seizure medications, esomeprazole, omeprazole). Check all prescription and nonprescription medicine labels carefully since many contain pain relievers/fever reducers (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin) which can increase the risk of bleeding/anti-platelet effect when used with cilostazol. Low-dose aspirin (usually 81-325 milligrams per day) as prescribed by your doctor for specific medical reasons such as heart attack or stroke prevention should be continued. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
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