Frequently Asked Questions

Q. I have been taking Pletal¨ for my intermittent claudication for awhile, but recently the prescription was changed to cilostazol. Are these drugs exactly the same?
A. One should not expect any difference in either the effectiveness or safety in the generic form (cilostazol) versus the brand name (Pletal).

Q. I have been prescribed Plavix® for my PAD. What does it do?
A. Plavix is a medication that keeps the platelets in the blood from sticking together. This helps prevent clots from forming, which can cause arteries to narrow or become blocked, which in turn can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

Q. I am 58 and currently in an exercise program at a health club. I feel very good immediately after the workout and have no soreness or pain. However, after an hour or so my legs get stiff and it is sometimes hard to get going again, even if I'm just sitting around for a while. Could this be PAD?
A. What you describe does not sound like PAD. In most cases, pain from PAD occurs during exercise and goes away at rest. What you describe sounds like common stiffness from exercising. For most people it is normal to experience aching muscles the day or two following exercise. Stretching before and after may lessen the stiffness.

Additional information is available from the Vascular Disease Foundation, or can be seen on its Web site at www.vdf.org.