Drug interactions
Cilostazol + Grapefruit
Severity: Moderate
Cilostazol and Grapefruit: 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
Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and may increase cilostazol exposure. This may increase headache, palpitations and diarrhea, though the effect is generally modest.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cilostazol and Grapefruit 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.
Why it happens
Inhibition of intestinal CYP3A4 by grapefruit components increases cilostazol bioavailability.
What to do
Advise avoiding large or regular grapefruit intake during cilostazol therapy, and monitor tolerability.
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 Cilostazol
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cilostazol with Grapefruit?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cilostazol and Grapefruit 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. Grapefruit juice inhibits intestinal CYP3A4 and may increase cilostazol exposure. This may increase headache, palpitations and diarrhea, though the effect is generally modest.
How serious is the interaction between Cilostazol and Grapefruit?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Advise avoiding large or regular grapefruit intake during cilostazol therapy, and monitor tolerability.
What other medicines interact with Cilostazol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Cilostazol with, for example, Abrocitinib, Anagrelide, Betrixaban. The full list is on the Cilostazol page.
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