Pletal

Pletal (Cilostazol)

General information

Pletal is an inhibitor of phosphodiesterase III. It widens arteries that supply blood to the legs. It works by preventing certain blood cells (platelets) from sticking together and by widening blood vessels in the legs. This helps the blood to move more easily and increases blood flow. Pletal is used to treat the symptoms of intermittent claudication. This condition causes reduced blood flow to the legs, leading to pain while walking. Cilostazol improves your ability to walk longer distances without pain.

Directions

Take Pletal exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Take each dose with a full glass of water. It is usually taken twice a day, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast or dinner. Take cilostazol at the same times each day. The recommended dosage is 100 mg b.i.d.

Precautions

Before taking Pletal you should talk with your doctor if you have heart disease or liver disease. Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with cilostazol. Discuss the use of grapefruit products with your doctor.

Contraindications

Do not take Pletal if you have congestive heart failure, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Possible side effect

Get emergency medical help if you have chest pain, difficulty breathing, fever, body aches, hives, swelling of your ankles or feet, difficulty breathing, bloody urine, painful urination, flu symptoms. Less serious side effects may include: joint pain, leg cramps, diarrhea, vomiting, weakness, fast heartbeats, cough, dizziness, stuffy nose. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor.

Drug interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially: fluvoxamine, sertraline, fluconazole, ketoconazole, itraconazole, diltiazem, clopidogrel, omeprazole, esomeprazole, erythromycin, clarithromycin. Interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Tell your doctor about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as possible. Skip the missed dose if it is time for your next scheduled dose. Don't take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

If you think you have overdosed the medicine seek emergency medical help at once. The overdose symptoms are diarrhea, headache, fainting, tachycardia, hypotension.

Storage

Store the medicine at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store the drugs in the bathroom. Store it in a tight container. Keep all drugs away from reach of children and pets.

Note

The information presented at the site has a general character. Note please this information cannot be used for self-treatment and self diagnosis. You should consult with your doctor or health care adviser regarding any specific instructions of your condition. The information is reliable, but we concede it could contain mistakes. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other damage caused by use of this information on the site and also for consequences of self-treatment.