Cilostazol: what is it used for?

Cilostazol is a drug used for its platelet and vasodilator properties. Because of this, it is recommended in the treatment of intermittent claudication.

So it is a vasodilator that relaxes the walls of the blood vessels to facilitate their dilation.

In turn, it improves circulation as it does not allow platelets, which are blood cells, to clump together and form a clot that acts as a stopper in the circulation of our blood.

It is marketed in the form of 100 milligram tablets and the recommended dose is one tablet every 12 hours. However, it is not recommended in people with congestive heart failure.

What is intermittent claudication?

Intermittent claudication, also called vascular claudication, is one of the symptoms of peripheral arterial disease, which are caused by blockage of the arteries that supply blood to the legs. It manifests itself in the form of pain in the lower extremities because the blood flow is very low. Usually it occurs mainly with physical exertion.

It is important to know that the term intermittent refers to the pain that manifests in the lower extremities. However, there is also the term claudication, which strikes the poor. The main feature of this condition is So the pain that occurs when walking a certain distance.

At first, you may only notice the pain when exercising. But, if this disease progresses, can you also feel it when you rest. Although intermittent claudication is sometimes considered a medical condition, It as said rather a symptom of peripheral arterial disease.

Happy there is a treatment available for this condition – such as cilostazol – which allows patients to improve their quality of life and helps them to lead an active life without pain.

Symptoms

Some of the most commonly described symptoms of intermittent claudication include the following:

• Intermittent pain: It appears and disappears as the patient goes about his daily activities.
• Pain during physical exertion: This usually appears more in the feet, thighs, hips, and buttocks. However, you should not forget that their arms can also be affected, although this situation is less common.
• Skin problems: Spots or sores may appear on the skin. Fingers and toes may turn bluish in color.
• Pain when resting: This symptom is characteristic of when this condition is already advanced. It usually doesn’t appear at first.

Mechanism of action: how does cilostazol work in the body?

Cilostazol owes its effect to its ability to inhibit an enzyme that known stands if phosphodiesterase 3.

Phosphodiesterase 3 is largely involved in the regulation of the heart muscle, vascular smooth muscle and platelet aggregation. If the action of cilostazol is inhibited, the symptoms related to these processes improve significantly.

On the other hand, it is worth noting that this remedy also has a different mechanism of action, which is very different from the mechanism described above. Until now, however, it has only been used for its vasodilating effect.

Several clinical studies have been developed showing that patients treated with cilostazol who experienced the symptoms of intermittent claudication, being able to walk longer distances without pain.

Side effects of cilostazol

Among the most common mild side effects, we can mention the following:

• Tachycardia
• Palpitations
• Headache
• Diarrhea and upset stomach

Except these can himself in cilostazol treatment other side effects as well to develop . If you suffer from any of them, you should tell your doctor:

• Bloody urine
• shortness of breath
• Feeling faint
• Fever, chills and other flu symptoms.

In addition, cilostazol not recommended in patients who are suffering On congestive heart failure. However, these are not the only side effects that can arise from treatment with this medicine.

How to avoid side effects

In summary, cilostazol is a drug that inhibits phosphodiesterase 3, an enzyme involved in various processes in the circulatory system. This has cilostazol vasodilating and platelet aggregating effects which are useful for the treatment of intermittent claudication.

This remedy, like others on the market, has a number of side effects. Therefore, it should always be taken according to the doctor’s instructions as part of a healthy lifestyle.

If you have been prescribed it, ask your doctor any questions you have about using this medicine and always follow the instructions he/she gives you. This will help prevent side effects. Perhaps also interesting for you