What would help a patient with intermittent claudication and sciatica walk further without pain?
- Q: I have intermittent claudication and sciatica. I tried to get Lyrica but am having trouble with that. Can you suggest a drug that may help me to walk further without pain? I am not allowed to take NSAIDs.
- A: Peripheral artery disease occurs when the arteries in the extremities become damaged and thickened with plaques. The blood cannot easily flow through these arteries, which leads to symptoms of pain when walking (also called intermittent claudication), cramping, numbness, or coldness in the extremity. Treatment of peripheral artery disease includes managing the pain and discomfort as well as reducing the risk of further arterial disease. Medications used for symptom relief include Pletal (cilostazol) and Trental (pentoxifylline). Pletal increases blood flow to the limbs by preventing blood clots and by opening (or dilating) the blood vessels. The most common side effects of Pletal are headache and diarrhea. Trental works to improve the flow of blood by decreasing its thickness (viscosity). Side effects are similar to Pletal. Reducing the risk of arterial disease includes managing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and taking blood thinners as needed to reduce the risk of clots. When your doctor prescribes a new medication, be sure to discuss all your prescription and over-the-counter drugs, including dietary supplements, vitamins, botanicals, minerals, and herbals, as well as the foods you eat. Always keep a current list of the drugs and supplements you take and review it with your health care providers and your pharmacist. If possible, use one pharmacy for all your prescription medications and over-the-counter products. This allows your pharmacist to keep a complete record of all your prescription drugs and to advise you about drug interactions and side effects. For more specific information, consult with your doctor or pharmacist for guidance based on your health status and current medications, particularly before taking any action. Michelle McDermott, RPh
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