🍽️ cilostazol,(prescription)

Intermittent Claudication: Cilostazol is indicated for the treatment of intermittent claudication, a symptom of peripheral artery disease (PAD) caused by reduced blood flow to the legs due to narrowing or blockage of the arteries. Intermittent claudication typically manifests as pain, cramping, or weakness in the calves, thighs, or buttocks during walking or other forms of exercise. Cilostazol works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase III (PDE3) in platelets and vascular smooth muscle cells, leading to vasodilation (widening of blood vessels) and inhibition of platelet aggregation, which improves blood flow and relieves symptoms of intermittent claudication.

Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD): Cilostazol is effective in improving walking distance and reducing symptoms in individuals with PAD, a condition characterized by the narrowing or blockage of arteries outside the heart, most commonly in the legs. PAD is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attack and stroke. Cilostazol helps alleviate symptoms of PAD by increasing blood flow to the affected limbs and improving exercise tolerance.

Platelet Aggregation Inhibition: Cilostazol inhibits platelet aggregation, or the clumping together of platelets in the blood, which is an important step in the formation of blood clots. By inhibiting phosphodiesterase III (PDE3) in platelets, cilostazol prevents platelets from becoming sticky and forming clots within blood vessels. This antiplatelet effect reduces the risk of thrombotic events such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral arterial thrombosis in individuals with PAD or other cardiovascular conditions.

Revascularization Procedures: Cilostazol may be used in combination with other treatments such as exercise therapy, lifestyle modifications, and revascularization procedures (such as angioplasty or bypass surgery) to improve outcomes in individuals with PAD. By enhancing blood flow and reducing symptoms of intermittent claudication, cilostazol can help optimize the results of revascularization procedures and improve overall quality of life.

Prevention of Secondary Cardiovascular Events: Cilostazol has been shown to reduce the risk of secondary cardiovascular events, including heart attack, stroke, and cardiovascular-related hospitalizations, in individuals with PAD or a history of ischemic stroke. By improving blood flow and inhibiting platelet aggregation, cilostazol helps prevent the formation of blood clots and reduces the risk of recurrent cardiovascular events in high-risk patients.

Side Effects: Common side effects of cilostazol may include headache, diarrhea, dizziness, palpitations, tachycardia (rapid heart rate), edema (swelling), and abnormal liver function tests. These side effects are usually mild to moderate in severity and often resolve with continued use or dose adjustment. Cilostazol may also increase the risk of bleeding, so it should be used with caution in individuals with a history of bleeding disorders or those taking other medications that affect bleeding risk.

Contraindications: Cilostazol is contraindicated in individuals with heart failure of any severity, as it may exacerbate symptoms or increase the risk of adverse cardiovascular events. It should also be used with caution in individuals with severe renal impairment or liver disease, as well as those with a history of bleeding disorders or recent major surgery.