Pletal (Cilostazol) Drug Information: Medication Guide and Patient Information

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May 27, 2012

Pletal

Peripheral Vascular Disease »

What is peripheral vascular disease?

Peripheral vascular disease (PVD) refers to diseases of the blood vessels (arteries and veins) located outside the heart and brain. While there are many causes of peripheral vascular disease, doctors commonly use the term peripheral vascular disease to refer to peripheral artery disease (peripheral arterial disease, PAD), a condition that develops when the arteries that supply blood to the internal organs, arms, and legs become completely or partially blocked as a result of atherosclerosis.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis is a gradual process whereby hard cholesterol substances (plaques) are deposited in the walls of the arteries. Cholesterol plaques cause hardening of the artery walls and narrowing of the inner channel (lumen) of the artery. The atherosclerosis process begins early in life (as early as teens in some people). When atherosclerosis is mild an...

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PATIENT INFORMATION

Please refer to the patient package insert. Patients should be advised:

to read the patient package insert for Pletal (cilostazol) carefully before starting therapy and to reread it each time therapy is renewed in case the information has changed.
to take Pletal (cilostazol) at least one-half hour before or two hours after food.
that the beneficial effects of Pletal (cilostazol) on the symptoms of intermittent claudication may not be immediate. Although the patient may experience benefit in 2 to 4 weeks after initiation of therapy, treatment for up to 12 weeks may be required before a beneficial effect is experienced.

Last reviewed on RxList: 12/19/2007
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.