Drug interactions
Cilostazol + Nelfinavir
Severity: Moderate
Cilostazol and Nelfinavir: 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
Nelfinavir can raise cilostazol and active metabolite concentrations, increasing risk of headache, tachycardia, palpitations and diarrhea. Cilostazol is also contraindicated in heart failure, so excess exposure is a concern in cardiac patients.
What this interaction means in plain words
Cilostazol and Nelfinavir 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; Nelfinavir belongs to Anti Virals.
Why it happens
Nelfinavir inhibits CYP3A4, reducing cilostazol clearance.
What to do
Consider reducing the cilostazol dose to 50 mg twice daily with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor heart rate and adverse effects.
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?
Pro+ members
Unlock the full page
Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Cilostazol and Nelfinavir, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.
- Full clinical management advice
- Additional notes
- Evidence detail
- Interaction checker for a whole prescription
Try Pro+ free for 7 days on the web. No card needed.
Other interactions of Cilostazol
Other interactions of Nelfinavir
- Alfuzosin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Avanafil + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Dronedarone + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Eletriptan + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Ergotamine + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
- Flibanserin + Nelfinavir Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Cilostazol with Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Cilostazol and Nelfinavir 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. Nelfinavir can raise cilostazol and active metabolite concentrations, increasing risk of headache, tachycardia, palpitations and diarrhea. Cilostazol is also contraindicated in heart failure, so excess exposure is a concern in cardiac patients.
How serious is the interaction between Cilostazol and Nelfinavir?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Consider reducing the cilostazol dose to 50 mg twice daily with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors. Monitor heart rate and adverse effects.
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.
Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app
Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.
