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Cilostazol

Pletal, Silnorm, Strovex · ATC code B01AC23

Also known as: Silostazol · Brand names: Cilostazol Al, Cilostazol Stada, Pletal, Silnorm, Strovex

Key facts
Active substance
Cilostazol
Drug class
Antithrombotic
ATC code
B01AC23
Authorisation
authorised nationally; no central EU authorisation
Information as of
2026-10-29

Boxed warning

Cilostazol tablets are contraindicated in patients with heart failure of any severity. Cilostazol and several of its metabolites are inhibitors of phosphodiesterase III. Several drugs with this pharmacologic effect have caused decreased survival compared to placebo in patients with class III-IV heart failure [see Contraindications ( 4)].

Key facts

Cilostazol is a phosphodiesterase III inhibitor. Per the US prescribing information, it is used to reduce symptoms of intermittent claudication, shown by an increased walking distance.

What it is used for

  • Reduction of symptoms of intermittent claudication (increased walking distance)

Dosing

  • 100 mg twice daily, taken at least half an hour before or two hours after breakfast and dinner
  • Response may occur as early as 2 to 4 weeks, but up to 12 weeks may be needed; discontinue if symptoms are unimproved after 3 months
  • 50 mg twice daily with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, itraconazole, erythromycin, diltiazem) or CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. ticlopidine, fluconazole, omeprazole)

Contraindications

  • Heart failure of any severity
  • Hypersensitivity to cilostazol or any component (e.g. anaphylaxis, angioedema)

Important warnings

  • Boxed warning: contraindicated in heart failure of any severity; other PDE III inhibitors decreased survival in class III-IV heart failure
  • Tachycardia, palpitation, tachyarrhythmia or hypotension; heart rate rises by about 5 to 7 bpm; ischemic heart disease patients may risk worsening angina or myocardial infarction
  • Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with sigmoid shaped septum
  • Thrombocytopenia or leukopenia progressing to agranulocytosis; monitor blood counts periodically
  • Avoid in hemostatic disorders or active pathologic bleeding

Side effects

  • With 100 mg twice daily: headache 34%, diarrhea 19%, abnormal stools 15%, palpitation 10%, dizziness 10%, pharyngitis 10%
  • Also peripheral edema, rhinitis, dyspepsia, abdominal pain, tachycardia
  • Headache was the most frequent reason for discontinuation

Interactions

  • Strong and moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g. ketoconazole, erythromycin, diltiazem, grapefruit juice) increase cilostazol exposure; reduce dose to 50 mg twice daily
  • CYP2C19 inhibitors (e.g. omeprazole) increase exposure to active metabolites; reduce dose to 50 mg twice daily

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

  • Teratogenic in rats; no adequate studies in pregnant women
  • Discontinue nursing or discontinue cilostazol

Summary of the official product information, written with AI on 2026-10-29. Every number was checked automatically against the original text. Not reviewed by a physician – the full official text is authoritative.

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For patients

Patient information (US)

This product has no separate US patient information.

Authorisation and brand names by country

Medicines with exactly this active-substance composition, as listed in the national registers – alphabetical and without ranking. Whether a product is currently available is not shown here.

Germany

  • Cilostazol AlAliud Pharma Gmbh · 1 register entry
  • Cilostazol StadaStadapharm Gmbh · 1 register entry

Source: EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), as of 2026-10-29

Turkey

  • PletalABDİ İBRAHİM OTSUKA İLAÇ SAN. VE TİC. A.Ş. · 4 register entries
  • SilnormNEUTEC İLAÇ SAN. TİC. A.Ş · 2 register entries
  • StrovexALİ RAİF İLAÇ SAN. A.Ş. · 2 register entries

Source: TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, as of 2026-10-16

Brand names in 13 more European countries
Bulgaria
Лостразин, Тромбай, Цилостазол Сандоз, Цилостазол Стада
Czechia
Cilostazol Stada, Noclaud
Estonia
Cilostad, Cilostazol Stada, Cilozek
Greece
Cilos, Cilostazol Galenica, Claudiasil, Inclaud
Hungary
Antaclast, Cilostazol Teva, Cilozek, Noclaud
Italy
Albaten, Cilostazolo Eg, Cilostazolo Mylan Pharma, Cilostazolo Sandoz, Fripass
Latvia
Dilsatan, Sollazon
Lithuania
Dilsatan, Sollazon
Malta
Cilostazol
Poland
Cilostazol Lek-Am, Cilostop, Cilozek, Decilosal, Noclaud, Stepcil
Portugal
Cilostazol Ferrer
Romania
Dilvas, Velyn
Spain
Acetival, Cilostazol Aristo, Cilostazol Cinfa, Cilostazol Kern Pharma, Cilostazol Normon, Cilostazol Pensa, Cilostazol Sandoz, Cilostazol Stada, Cilostazol Tarbis, Cilostazol Viatris, Ekistol

EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29

Medelix receives no money from pharmaceutical companies. Brand names are listed alphabetically and without ranking.

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Sources

  1. U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Cilostazol (Slate Run Pharmaceuticals, LLC) – Prescribing Information, 2025-12-12. DailyMed (NLM), 2026-10-29. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/lookup.cfm?setid=db0278e9-4ece-4aaf-9216-6bcbec58206a
  2. EMA – Article 57 product data (EU/EEA), 2026-10-29. https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/human-regulatory-overview/post-authorisation/data-medicines-iso-idmp-standards-post-authorisation/public-data-article-57-database
  3. TİTCK – Ruhsatlı Beşeri Tıbbi Ürünler Listesi, 2026-10-16. https://www.titck.gov.tr/dinamikmodul/85
  4. Wikidata (CC0): ATC B01AC.

Editorial: Medelix editorial team · last updated 2026-10-29 · How these pages are made · Report an error

Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prescribing information, via DailyMed (NLM); public domain. Not advertising, not a treatment recommendation. For questions about your own treatment, ask your doctor or pharmacist.