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Cilostazol is a prescription phosphodiesterase III inhibitor used to reduce symptoms of intermittent claudication. It increases walking distance in people with this condition. Tablets commonly come in 50 mg and 100 mg strengths. Cilostazol is contraindicated in patients with heart failure of any severity.
read more about cilostazol ...Cilostazol and several metabolites inhibit phosphodiesterase III and reduce breakdown of cyclic AMP. Higher cyclic AMP in platelets inhibits platelet aggregation, while higher cyclic AMP in blood vessels promotes vasodilation. These effects contribute to improved blood flow and walking ability in intermittent claudication.
Cilostazol is indicated for people with intermittent claudication to reduce symptoms and increase walking distance. It is not used in patients with heart failure of any severity. Patients with active pathologic bleeding or hemostatic disorders are also advised to avoid cilostazol due its reversible inhibition of platelet aggregation.
The recommended dose is 100 mg twice daily, taken at least 30 minutes before or two hours after breakfast and dinner. The dose is reduced to 50 mg twice daily with certain CYP3A4 or CYP2C19 inhibitors. Clinical response can begin within several weeks, and treatment is reassessed when symptoms remain unimproved after three months.
Cilostazol carries a boxed warning against use in heart failure of any severity. Other concerns include fast heart rate, palpitations, abnormal heart rhythms, low blood pressure, worsening angina, myocardial infarction risk in people with ischemic heart disease, low platelets, low white blood cells, agranulocytosis, and bleeding concerns.
Cilostazol reduces symptoms of intermittent claudication and increases walking distance.
The usual dose is 100 mg twice daily on an empty stomach around breakfast and dinner.
PDE III inhibitors with similar pharmacologic activity have been linked to decreased survival in patients with advanced heart failure.
Yes. Cilostazol reversibly inhibits platelet aggregation.
Cilostazol. MedlinePlus. https://www.medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601038.html. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.
Cilostazol. PubChem. https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/73963-72-1. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.
Cilostazol. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK544363/. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.
DailyMed - CILOSTAZOL tablet. https://www.dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=77e77eaf-5556-43ac-844e-c0e29f02fe07. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.
DailyMed - CILOSTAZOL tablet. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=db0278e9-4ece-4aaf-9216-6bcbec58206a. Date Accessed September 22, 2026.