Generic name: Cilostazol
Brand name: Pletal
General Information
Pletal works by widening arteries that supply blood to the legs. It also improves blood circulation by keeping platelets in the blood from sticking together and clotting. Pletal is prescribed to treat the symptoms of intermittent claudication. Pletal will help you to walk longer distances without pain.
Your doctor may prescribe this remedy for other purposes. Contact your physician if you need to learn more information about this drug.
Don’t stop treatment with Pletal earlier than it was prescribed by your doctor even if you notice improvements of your condition. Stopping the medication too early may worsen your condition. Be careful about doing dangerous tasks, driving, operating machinery or climbing until you are aware how this drug affects you. Don’t drink alcohol. Always contact a medic before giving Pletal to a child.
Important Information:
Don’t take Pletal in case you have congestive heart failure since Pletal may worsen your condition. You may see positive results in 12 weeks of treatment. To achieve better results, keep using the medicine as prescribed. Contact your physician in case your condition doesn’t improve within 30 days.
Grapefruit and grapefruit juice may interact with Pletal, it can lead to dangerous effects. Contact your physician according the use of grapefruit products.
Take Pletal on an empty stomach, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food.
What symptoms or conditions should I report to a doctor before I take this medicine?
Don’t take Pletal in case you have congestive heart failure since Pletal may worsen your condition.
Inform your doctor if you have liver or heart disease before using cilostazol. In this case you may need special tests or a dose adjustment.
FDA pregnancy category C. Don’t take the remedy if you are pregnant breast-feeding or trying to get pregnant.
How should you take Pletal (cilostazol)?
Note: This remedy was prescribed to you only. Don’t share this medicament with others. Follow strictly your doctor’s recommendations. Don’t take more or longer than your doctor recommended.
Take it with a full glass of water. This remedy is usually taken 2 times per day, at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after breakfast or dinner.
Don’t forget to take Pletal at the same times each day.
To achieve better results take the drug as your doctor prescribed.
What should be done if I missed the dose?
In case you forgot to take the dose, take it at your earliest opportunity. Never double your dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Take only one dose at once.
Overdosage:
Taking any medicine in large doses you can have serious consequences for your health. If you feel an overdose, contact your health care professional instantly.
In large doses, this remedy may cause the following conditions: diarrhea, severe headache, fainting, feeling light-headed, and fast or uneven heartbeats.
Which side effects can I perceive from this remedy?
Contact your physician immediately if you notice any of the following serious side effects:
- allergy like skin rash, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, hives, itching, difficulty breathing
- chest pain
- painful urination, bloody urine
- swelling of your feet or ankles
- severe headache
- feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion
- fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
Less serious side effects:
- leg cramps
- vomiting, diarrhea
- fast or pounding heartbeats
- joint pain
- dizziness, weakness
- numbness or tingling
- runny or stuffy nose, cough
This list of side effects may be not complete, others may occur. Inform your medical practitioners about all side effects you experience.
Interactions:
- fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), or itraconazole (Sporanox)
- clopidogrel (Plavix)
- clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., E-Mycin, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin)
- omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) or esomeprazole (Nexium)
- fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), nefazodone (Serzone), sertraline (Zoloft)
- diltiazem (Cardizem, Tiazac)
This list of interactions may be not complete. Provide your medical practitioners entire list of medicines, herbs, dietary supplements or non-prescription drugs you take. Moreover tell them whether you drink alcohol, use illegal drugs or smoke. Particular items may interact with your drug.
How should Pletal (cilostazol) be stored?
Store Pletal tablets at 25°C (77°F); excursions permitted to 15-30°C (59-86°F) away from moisture, heat, and light.
Warning: Before taking the drug you need to consult your doctor. The information contained in this article is not intended to cover all possible precautions, drug interactions, adverse effects, directions, uses, allergic reactions or warnings.
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