Cilostazol in patients with ischemic stroke

Introduction: Several antiplatelets have been used in the prevention of secondary ischemic strokes with limited success and some carried a high risk of bleeding.Cilostazol is a relatively new antiplatelet that has been thoroughly investigated in Japan with promising outcome in secondary stroke prevention.Areas covered: In this paper, the findings of major clinical trials and the efficacy of cilostazol in preventing ischemic stroke in comparison with other more commonly used antiplatelet medications like aspirin and clopidogrel are summarized.Pharmacology and mechanism of action are also discussed.Expert opinion: Cilostazol is a safe and effective medication.It has an antiplatelet, antithrombotic and vascular endothelial proliferation inhibitory effect that makes it an excellent, promising drug for the prevention of secondary ischemic stroke and poststent thrombosis.