Drug interactions
Cilostazol + Cimetidine
Severity: Moderate
Cilostazol and Cimetidine: moderate interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Cimetidine may increase cilostazol exposure through CYP3A4 inhibition, increasing the risk of headache, tachycardia and palpitations. Dose reduction is advised with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, and cimetidine is weaker.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cilostazol and Cimetidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Cilostazol belongs to Cardiovascular; Cimetidine belongs to Gastrointestinal Tract.
Why it happens
Cimetidine inhibits CYP3A4 metabolism of cilostazol.
What to do
Monitor for headache, palpitations and tachycardia, and consider reducing the cilostazol dose to 50 mg twice daily; famotidine is an alternative.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Cimetidine
- Cimetidine + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Cimetidine + Fezolinetant Contraindicated
- Alfentanil + Cimetidine Major
- Atazanavir + Cimetidine Major
- Carmustine + Cimetidine Major
- Cimetidine + Citalopram Major
Other interactions of Cilostazol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cilostazol with Cimetidine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cilostazol and Cimetidine can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Cimetidine may increase cilostazol exposure through CYP3A4 inhibition, increasing the risk of headache, tachycardia and palpitations. Dose reduction is advised with potent CYP3A4 inhibitors, and cimetidine is weaker.
How serious is the interaction between Cilostazol and Cimetidine?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for headache, palpitations and tachycardia, and consider reducing the cilostazol dose to 50 mg twice daily; famotidine is an alternative.
What other medicines interact with Cimetidine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cimetidine with, for example, Dofetilide, Fezolinetant, Alfentanil. The full list is on the Cimetidine page.
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