In the pharmaceutical industry, Cilostazol is a Quinolinone derivative and a selective Phosphodiesterase III (PDE3) inhibitor. As a pharmacist and manufacturer, I classify this as an antiplatelet agent with potent vasodilatory properties. Its primary role is to improve blood flow in patients with chronic arterial blockages.

At your WHO-GMP facility in Mumbai, you likely manufacture the 50 mg and 100 mg strengths, which are essential for geriatric and cardiovascular care portfolios.

Primary Clinical Uses

• Intermittent Claudication: This is the #1 indication. It treats the muscle pain, cramping, or tiredness in the legs that occurs during walking due to Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD).

• Improving Walking Distance: Clinically, it is used to increase the distance a patient can walk without pain by improving oxygen delivery to the leg muscles.

• Secondary Stroke Prevention: In some regions (particularly Asia), it is used as an alternative to Aspirin or Clopidogrel for preventing the recurrence of certain types of strokes.

• Percutaneous Coronary Intervention (PCI): Sometimes used as part of “triple antiplatelet therapy” to prevent stent re-stenosis after heart procedures.

Mechanism: The Dual-Action Flow

Cilostazol works differently than standard blood thinners like Aspirin because it affects both the blood cells and the blood vessels simultaneously.

Inhibition of PDE3: By inhibiting the enzyme phosphodiesterase III, it increases the levels of Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate (cAMP) in platelets and blood vessel walls.

Antiplatelet Effect: High cAMP levels prevent platelets from sticking together (aggregation), reducing the risk of small clot formations in narrowed arteries.

Vasodilation: In the smooth muscle of the arteries, increased cAMP causes the vessels to relax and widen (vasodilation). This directly increases the volume of oxygenated blood reaching the limbs.

The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Technical & Export

From a production and B2B standpoint at your facility in Mumbai, Cilostazol is a high-value molecule for your digital platforms:

• The “Cylindrical” USP: As a pharmacist, you know Cilostazol has low water solubility. Highlighting your advanced micronization process (reducing particle size for better absorption) on your marketplace is a major technical selling point for B2B buyers.

• Strict Contraindication Warning: On your website and Product Information Leaflet (PIL), it is critical to state that Cilostazol is strictly contraindicated in patients with Heart Failure. This professional transparency builds immense trust with international medical distributors.

• Stability & Packaging: Cilostazol is relatively stable but sensitive to moisture. At our facility, we utilize Alu-Alu blister packaging to ensure a 36-month shelf life, which is essential for export to Zone IVb tropical regions.

• Dossier Readiness: We maintain full CTD/eCTD Dossiers to support your firm in bidding for national health tenders and specialized cardiology hospital contracts.