cilostazol

Even though cilostazol isn't considered a traditional blood thinner, it does have blood-thinning effects. The medication keeps your platelets from clumping together, which means it's less likely for a clot to form. This helps your blood flow more smoothly through your body. Because of this, you might have a higher chance of bleeding while taking cilostazol. It's important to tell your prescriber right away if you notice any signs of unusual bleeding.

A dose of cilostazol can stay in your system for 2 to 3 days. This is based on the medication's half-life, which is the time it takes for half of the medication to leave your body. This timing can be a little different for each person. If you have questions about how long it stays in your body, talk to your prescriber.

While taking cilostazol, you should avoid grapefruit and grapefruit juice, as they can raise the amount of medication in your body and cause more side effects. You should also be careful with certain medications, especially those that block an enzyme called CYP3A4 or CYP2C19 — these are known as CYP inhibitors. Some antibiotics, antifungals, and heart medications fall into this group and can affect how your body breaks down cilostazol. This can lead to higher levels of the medication in your system and raise the risk of side effects. To stay safe, make sure your prescriber and pharmacist know about all the medications you take.

You shouldn’t stop taking cilostazol without talking to your prescriber first. Even if you don’t feel much difference or start feeling better, stopping suddenly could make your symptoms worse. If you’re having side effects, let your prescriber know so they can help adjust your treatment safely.

Cilostazol can start working in as little as 2 weeks, but it can take up to 12 weeks to feel the full benefits. It’s important to keep taking the medication as prescribed, even if you don’t feel a big change right away. If you haven’t seen improvement after 3 months, talk to your prescriber — they might adjust your treatment.

Yes, cilostazol and clopidogrel can be taken together, but only under the close guidance of your prescriber. Both medications help prevent blood clots, but they work in different ways. Taking them together can raise the risk of bleeding, so your care team will weigh the benefits and keep a close eye on any side effects. Always follow your prescriber’s directions and let them know about any unusual bruising or bleeding.

It can. Low blood pressure is a possible side effect of cilostazol. Be careful if you take medications that lower blood pressure as this could make the effect stronger. Let your prescriber know if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or confused since these could be signs that your blood pressure is too low.