Pletal

Pletal is used for:

Reducing attacks of intermittent claudication (pain, cramping, numbness, or weakness in the foot, hip, thigh, or buttocks) that may occur after walking. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Pletal is a phosphodiesterase type 3 inhibitor. Pletal works by widening arteries that supply blood to the legs. It also decreases the ability of platelets (particles in the blood involved in blood clotting) to stick together.

Do NOT use Pletal if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Pletal
• you have heart failure

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Pletal :

Some medical conditions may interact with Pletal . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have liver or kidney problems

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Pletal . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Certain medicines that act on the liver (eg, ketoconazole, erythromycin, diltiazem, omeprazole) because they may increase the actions of Pletal and side effects, such as toxicity, may occur

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Pletal may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Pletal :

Use Pletal as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Pletal by mouth at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after eating.
• Do not eat grapefruit or drink grapefruit juice while you take Pletal .
• The effects of Pletal are not immediate. Although you may experience the benefits of Pletal 2 to 4 weeks after beginning treatment, treatment for up to 12 weeks may be necessary before Pletal takes effect.
• If you miss a dose of Pletal take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed or if it is nearing time for the next dose, do not double the dose to catch up, unless advised by your health care provider. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, contact your health care provider or pharmacist.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Pletal .

Important safety information:

• Pletal may cause dizziness. This effect may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Pletal with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Pletal before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Lab tests, including complete blood cell counts, may be performed while you use Pletal . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• PREGNANCY AND BREAST-FEEDING: If you are pregnant or become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Pletal while you are pregnant. It is not known if Pletal is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Pletal .

Possible side effects of Pletal :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Abnormal stools; back pain; bloating or swelling of ankles, feet, or hands; diarrhea; dizziness; feeling of a whirling motion; gas; headache; increased cough; indigestion; infection; muscle aches; nausea; runny nose; sore throat; stomach pain; swelling of the legs and feet.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); black, tarry stools; fast or irregular heartbeat; pounding in the chest; unusual bruising or bleeding; vomiting material that looks like coffee grounds.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include diarrhea; dizziness; fast or irregular heartbeat; fatigue; low blood pressure; severe headache; weakness.

Store Pletal between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Pletal out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Pletal , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Pletal is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Pletal . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.