Cilostazol

Intermittent Claudication

Treatment

2 FDA approvals

7 Active Studies for Cilostazol

What is Cilostazol

Cilostazol

The Generic name of this drug

Treatment Summary

Cilostazol, sold under the brand name Pletal, is a medication used to treat intermittent claudication (pain in the legs due to poor circulation). It works by preventing platelets from sticking together and narrowing the blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the legs. Cilostazol belongs to a group of drugs known as quinolinone derivatives.

Pletal

is the brand name

image of different drug pills on a surface

Cilostazol Overview & Background

Brand Name

Generic Name

First FDA Approval

How many FDA approvals?

Pletal

Cilostazol

1999

68

Approved as Treatment by the FDA

Cilostazol, also called Pletal, is approved by the FDA for 2 uses which include Intermittent Claudication and Intermittent Claudication .

Intermittent Claudication

Intermittent Claudication

Effectiveness

How Cilostazol Affects Patients

Cilostazol helps reduce the pain in the legs caused by reduced blood flow that comes and goes with walking. This is known as intermittent claudication. Taking Cilostazol can help you walk further and reduce the amount of pain you feel.

How Cilostazol works in the body

Cilostazol stops an enzyme from breaking down a compound called cAMP. This leads to increased levels of cAMP in platelets and blood vessels, which in turn helps prevent blood clots and improves blood flow.

When to interrupt dosage

The recommended dosage of Cilostazol is contingent upon the specified condition. The amount of dosage is contingent upon the mode of delivery (e.g. Tablet or Tablet - Oral) detailed in the table underneath.

Condition

Dosage

Administration

Intermittent Claudication

50.0 mg, , 100.0 mg

, Tablet, Tablet - Oral, Oral, Conjunctival; Oral, Tablet - Conjunctival; Oral

Warnings

Cilostazol Contraindications

Condition

Risk Level

Notes

Congestive Heart Failure

Do Not Combine

There are 20 known major drug interactions with Cilostazol.

Common Cilostazol Drug Interactions

Drug Name

Risk Level

Description

Abrocitinib

Major

The risk or severity of bleeding and thrombocytopenia can be increased when Cilostazol is combined with Abrocitinib.

Amoxapine

Major

The metabolism of Amoxapine can be decreased when combined with Cilostazol.

Amrinone

Major

The risk or severity of congestive heart failure, bleeding, hypotension, and Tachycardia can be increased when Cilostazol is combined with Amrinone.

Axitinib

Major

The metabolism of Axitinib can be decreased when combined with Cilostazol.

Cabazitaxel

Major

The metabolism of Cabazitaxel can be decreased when combined with Cilostazol.

Cilostazol Toxicity & Overdose Risk

Not much is known about what happens when someone takes too much cilostazol. However, it is likely that they would experience a severe headache, diarrhea, low blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, and possibly abnormal heart rhythms. Studies have shown that a lethal dose of cilostazol is greater than 5.0 g/kg in mice and rats and greater than 2.0 g/kg in dogs.

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Cilostazol Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Cilostazol?

Nine clinical trials are presently assessing the potential of Cilostazol to manage Intermittent Claudication.

Condition

Clinical Trials

Trial Phases

Intermittent Claudication

7 Actively Recruiting

Not Applicable, Phase 1, Phase 3, Phase 2

Cilostazol Reviews: What are patients saying about Cilostazol?

5

Patient Review

3/5/2014

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I had a severe reaction to this medication that included pounding in my chest, headaches, and an all-around feeling of unease. I'm glad I stopped taking the medication when I did, as the symptoms lingered for days afterwards.

5

Patient Review

12/25/2019

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

The only thing I have with this medication, is I needed to take it one hour before or 2 hours after meal. Sometime it is impossible because I am a diabetic.

4.7

Patient Review

7/23/2014

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

This drug has been a huge help when it comes to walking. I can walk much further distances without pain, and even if I do start to feel some pain, a short rest usually does the trick.

4

Patient Review

1/3/2017

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I'm a 65 year old male who had bypass surgery 18 years ago. I walk an average of 12,000 steps per day and this medication has helped me significantly with the pain in my left leg.

3.7

Patient Review

6/13/2014

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I've used this medication in the past and it really helped with my leg cramps. I ran out and noticed that the cramps came back sooner than when I was on the medication.

3.3

Patient Review

7/23/2022

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I started taking this medication about a month ago, and it doesn't seem to be working as well as I'd hoped. I have a follow-up appointment with my doctor in September, but I might need to go back to the emergency room before then if things don't improve.

2.7

Patient Review

9/21/2013

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

2.3

Patient Review

9/24/2015

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

Of no benefit ..

2.3

Patient Review

2/27/2014

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I got headaches as a side-effect of this medication.

2.3

Patient Review

4/25/2020

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

There was no change in the amount of pain I felt when walking, and if anything, it seems like the distance I can walk has decreased.

2

Patient Review

9/9/2021

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I'm still having a lot of pain after two weeks on this medication. I was hoping for more relief by now.

1

Patient Review

7/13/2016

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

I had to stop taking this medication after only two and a half weeks because it caused extreme mood swings, dizziness, nausea, memory loss, and headaches. I was also nonfunctional at times and didn't even know where I was.

1

Patient Review

10/21/2013

Cilostazol for Leg Pain when Walking; Absent at Rest

Every time I take this medication, I feel nauseous and get an instant headache.
image of drug pills surrounding a glass of water symbolizing drug consumption

Patient Q&A Section about cilostazol

These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.

What is the generic name for cilostazol?

"What is cilostazol?

Cilostazol is a quinolinone derivative used for the treatment of intermittent claudication and peripheral vascular disease. It is available under the brand name Pletal."

Answered by AI

What is cilostazol used for?

"The drug cilostazol improves blood flow through vessels and is used to reduce leg pain from poor circulation. With cilostazol, people can walk further before needing to take a break because of leg pain."

Answered by AI

Is cilostazol a blood thinner?

"No, cilostazol is not a blood thinner. However, it does help prevent platelets from sticking together, which could theoretically increase the risk of bleeding."

Answered by AI

What type of drug is cilostazol?

"Cilostazol belongs to a class of medications known as platelet-aggregation inhibitors, or antiplatelet medications. These drugs work by improving blood flow to the legs."

Answered by AI

Clinical Trials for Cilostazol

Image of University of Arizona in Tucson, United States.

Exercise and Beetroot Juice for Peripheral Arterial Disease

18+
All Sexes
Tucson, AZ

Lower extremity revascularization combined with supervised exercise significantly improves walking performance compared to revascularization alone in people who have PAD without limb threatening ischemia. However, supervised exercise is inaccessible or burdensome for most PAD patients. Investigators hypothesize that home-based exercise combined with lower extremity revascularization will significantly improve walking performance compared to revascularization alone in patients with PAD undergoing revascularization for disabling PAD. Investigators further hypothesize that inorganic nitrate, a major source of nitric oxide (NO) abundant in beetroot juice, will improve walking performance after lower extremity revascularization, compared to placebo. In preclinical models, NO inhibits inflammation, neointimal hyperplasia, thrombosis, and vascular smooth muscle cell migration at sites of revascularization. NO increases angiogenesis and perfusion, repairs skeletal muscle damaged by ischemia, and stimulates mitochondrial activity. In a randomized clinical trial with a 2 x 2 factorial design, the trial will test the following two primary hypotheses in 386 patients randomized within three months of a successful lower extremity revascularization for disabling PAD: First, that home-based exercise combined with lower extremity revascularization will improve six-minute walk distance more than revascularization alone at 6-month follow-up (Primary Aim #1). Second, that nitrate-rich beetroot juice combined with lower extremity revascularization will improve six-minute walk, compared to placebo combined with revascularization at 6-month follow-up (Primary Aim #2).

Phase 3
Recruiting

University of Arizona (+7 Sites)

Image of VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA in Pittsburgh, United States.

Metformin for Intermittent Claudication

35 - 89
All Sexes
Pittsburgh, PA

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) affects over 20% of aged adults and is very common among Veterans due significant tobacco use. PAD is due to the progressive blockage of peripheral arteries, predominantly to the legs, and results in intermittent claudication (IC) or recurrent muscle pain with activity secondary to insufficient blood supply. Those with PAD and IC experience a progressive decline in walking and poor quality of life. There is no effective medical treatment for PAD and IC. Metformin is a safe and effective treatment for Type 2 diabetes but it can also reduce inflammation, oxidative stress, and improve energy requirements as well as improve blood flow to the legs. Therefore, the investigators will test the ability of Metformin to improve overall functional status, reduce PAD progression, and reduce systemic inflammation in Veterans suffering from PAD and IC in a randomized, placebo controlled trial: Metformin BenefIts Lower Extremities with Intermittent Claudication (MOBILE IC) Trial. The success of this trial may identify a safe and effective treatment for PAD and IC.

Phase 3
Recruiting

VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System University Drive Division, Pittsburgh, PA

Edith I. Tzeng, MD

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