Pletal

The active ingredient in Pletal is cilostazol, which is a phosphodiesterase III (PDE-3) inhibitor. It helps relax blood vessels in the legs and prevents platelets from clumping together through the inhibition of the PDE-3 enzyme. More mobility and pain relief are made possible by this.

Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and read all documents provided, including the full Prescribing Information, FDA-Approved Product Labeling, Instructions for Use, and Medication Guide before using Pletal. However, the following is a synopsis of the general guidelines for the use of Pletal:

• Pletal is often taken twice a day on an empty stomach, two hours after breakfast or dinner, or at least half an hour before.
• Every day, take the medication around the same time.
• Your symptoms might not get better for up to 12 weeks. After three months of treatment, continue taking the medication as prescribed and let your doctor know if your symptoms don't get better.

The most common side effects of cilostazol seen in clinical trials include:

• Diarrhea.
• Abnormal stools.
• Headaches.

Some individuals may experience serious side effects while using Pletal. These side effects may require immediate medical attention. If you experience any of the following, contact your healthcare provider or seek emergency medical help:

• Allergic reaction: breathing difficulties, chest pain, hives, ulcers, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Extremely low blood pressure (hypotension): dizziness, lightheadedness, nausea, blurred vision, and fainting.
• Heart rhythm problems, irregular heartbeat, or palpitations (eg, tachycardia).
• Variations in your blood cell counts, such as leukopenia (low white blood cells) or thrombocytopenia (low number of platelets and increased risk of bleeding).

These are not all of the possible side effects of Pletal. You should always seek medical advice from your healthcare provider for any questions or concerns about your medical condition or treatment. Read all patient information, medication guides, or drug information sheets that come with this medication. You can also report adverse effects to the Food and Drug Administration at www.fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before starting Pletal, it is crucial to discuss any existing health conditions with your healthcare provider. You should be sure that your healthcare provider is aware of all your medical conditions, including if you have any of the following:

• Bleeding issues.
• Liver disease or renal impairment.
• A stroke, heart attack, coronary heart disease, or heart failure.
• If you have had peripheral arterial disease or peripheral vascular disease.
• If you're a smoker.
• Use with caution in patients taking platelet aggregation inhibitors.

Boxed Warning

• Cilostazol and its metabolites are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase III and should not be used in patients with CHF of any severity.

• Congestive heart failure.
• Allergy to Pletal.

Once you start taking this drug, it can take two to four weeks for your condition to start improving. It may take up to three months for the disease to improve in certain individuals.

When Pletal is taken with other prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and supplements, it may change how they work or increase the frequency or severity of side effects. Make sure that you tell your healthcare professional about anything that you are taking to avoid any negative drug interactions, including:

• Omeprazole.
• Diltiazem.
• Erythromycin.
• Ketoconazole.
• Clarithromycin.
• Itraconazole.
• Clopidogrel.
• Ticlopidine.
• Grapefruit juice.
• Antiplatelets or anticoagulants used to treat blood clots, such as enoxaparin or warfarin.

The typical dose of Pletal is 100mg orally twice a day on an empty stomach. It is recommended that you take it at least half an hour before or two hours after breakfast and dinner.

Take the medication as soon as you can after missing a dose, but if your next dose is close due, skip the missed dose. Avoid taking two doses at once.

If you are also taking CYP2C19 or CYP3A4 inhibitors: Reduce the dosage to 50 mg.

Store Pletal at room temperature and keep out of reach of children.

Teva Pharmaceuticals is the manufacturer of Pletal.

There are lower-cost generic versions of Pletal available.

It is best to speak to your healthcare provider first before suddenly stopping Pletal.

If you take it while pregnant, it could have an impact on your growing child. Notify your doctor right away if you become pregnant while taking this medication.

If you are taking this medication, do not breastfeed. Pletal's active ingredient may have an impact on your breastfed child because it passes into breast milk.