Pletal

Cilostazol

Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Pletal

Pletal is a phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor drug. It acts by widening arteries (that supply blood to the legs) by inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase type 3. It also decreases the ability of platelets to stick together. Platelets are the cells in the blood involved in blood clotting.

Therapeutic Uses of Pletal

Pletal is used to reduce attacks of intermittent claudication that may occur after walking or during walking. Intermittent claudication is pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the foot, hip, thigh, or buttocks especially during walking due to lack of blood supply to these particular parts.

Direction of use of Pletal

Check the label of the medicine for exact dosing instruction or follow your doctor’s advice as given to you:

• Take Pletal orally with a glass of water either at least 30 minutes before meal or at least 2 hours after meal.
• Do not stop taking Pletal if you do not get any result (effects of Pletal are not immediate) after using it for few days, because it generally takes 2 to 4 weeks after beginning treatment for getting some result. Sometimes it may take up to 12 weeks before you get results of using Pletal.
• You should avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice during treatment with Pletal.

If You Miss a Dose of Pletal

If you miss a dose of Pletal you should take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed and it is nearing time for the next dose, you should skip the missed dose and continue with regular dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not take 2 doses at once. You should consult your doctor or other health care provider if you miss more than a dose.

How to Store Pletal

Pletal can be stored at room temperature. Store it in a cool, dry and dark place in a tightly closed container. Keep this medicine out of reach of children.

More Information About Pletal

If you have any question about this medicine you are taking or you would like more information, ask your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider. Do not share Pletal with others for whom it is not prescribed. It is meant for the patient for whom it is prescribed.

Precautions to be Taken While Taking Pletal

You should not take Pletal if you have any of the medical conditions listed below and consult your doctor immediately:

• If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Pletal.
• If you have any heart problem like heart failure.

Important notes about Pletal:

• Use Pletal cautiously. Pletal can cause dizziness and this effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks like operating heavy machinery that require constant attention and monitoring, until you know how you react to Pletal.
• Pregnancy and breast feeding: If you are pregnant you should not take Pletal. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor to discuss about the risk and benifits of using Pletal during pregnancy. It is not known if Pletal is found in breast milk. Do not breast feed while taking Pletal, because it may harm your baby.
• Inform your doctor or dentist that you take Pletal regularly before you receive any medical care, dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, like complete blood cell counts, should be performed while you use Pletal regularly. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. You should keep all doctor and lab appointments.

Possible Adverse Effects of Pletal

There are some common and less serious side effects of Pletal. Consult your doctor if one or more of the common side effects become persistent of bothersome. The common and less serious side effects of Pletal are:

• Diarrhea, nausea, abnormal stools, indigestion, back pain, bloating or gas in stomach; swelling of ankles, feet, or hands; dizziness, feeling of a whirling motion (vertigo), headache; increased cough, infection (manifested by sore throat, fever, cold etc.); muscle aches, runny nose, stomach pain; swelling of the legs and feet etc.

Get immediate medical attention if you get any of the serious side effects of Pletal. The serious side effects of Pletal are:

• Severe allergic reaction (manifested by skin rash; hives; itching; difficulty in breathing, tightness in the chest, swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black and/or tarry stools; fast and/or irregular heartbeat, pounding in the chest or palpitaion; unusual bruising or bleeding; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds or fresh blood vomit.