Clopidogrel (also known by its brand name, Plavix) is a medication that's used to prevent heart attack and stroke in certain people who are at higher risk for those events. It comes as a tablet taken by mouth once per day and is also available as a generic medication. Since it's a blood thinner, possible side effects include bleeding and bruising, especially if you take medications that interact with clopidogrel (Plavix) like certain antidepressants, anticoagulants, or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
For people with a history of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease:
Heart attack prevention
Stroke prevention
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a P2Y12 inhibitor, which is a type of antiplatelet medication. It works by preventing platelets from clumping up together and forming blood clots in your heart or brain. This lowers your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Source: DailyMed
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Collection of blood under the skin
deep, dark purple bruise
Less common
Bloody nose
bloody, black, or tarry stools
vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds
Incidence not known
blistering, peeling, loosening of the skin
blurred vision
burning upper stomach pain
change in mental status
chest pain or tightness
cold sweats
coma
cool, pale skin
cough or hoarseness
dark or bloody urine
difficulty in breathing or swallowing
difficulty speaking
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast heartbeat
feeling of discomfort
fever with or without chills
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
increased hunger
indigestion
inflammation of the joints
joint or muscle pain
large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, sex organs
light-colored stools
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
muscle aches
nervousness
nightmares
noisy breathing
painful or difficult urination
pains in the side, possibly radiating to the back
pinpoint red spots on the skin
puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
rash with flat lesions or small raised lesions on the skin
rectal bleeding
red irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
seizures
shakiness
skin blisters
slurred speech
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
stomach cramps, tenderness, or pain
sweating
swelling of the eyes, face, or inside of the nose
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
swollen or painful glands
trouble breathing
unusual bleeding or bruising
watery or bloody diarrhea
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Incidence not known
Change in taste bad unusual or unpleasant (after) taste
difficulty in moving
loss of sense of taste
muscle aches, cramps, or stiffness
redness or swollen joints
seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Works well to lower your risk of having a heart attack or stroke
Only taken once a day by mouth
Available as a lower-cost, generic form
Can cause major bleeding or bruising
Has many interactions with other medications
Might not work as well for people with East Asian descent
Take clopidogrel (Plavix) with or without food. But avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice because they interact with clopidogrel (Plavix) causing the medication to not work as well.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) can make you bleed more easily. Stop taking the medication and get medical help right away if you feel lightheaded, dizzy, are vomiting or coughing up blood, or have blood in your stool. These are signs of bleeding that might be happening inside your body.
Get medical help right away if you fall and hit your head while taking clopidogrel (Plavix). Your provider will want to check to make sure you don't have any brain bleeds.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) interacts with several commonly used medications. Some medications need to be avoided while others might need their dose adjusted or you need closer monitoring. Tell your provider and pharmacist about all of the medications and supplements you're taking before and during treatment with clopidogrel (Plavix) to make sure the combination is as safe for you as possible.
Make sure to eat healthy and exercise regularly while taking clopidogrel (Plavix) to help further lower your risk for a heart attack or stroke.
Don't stop taking clopidogrel (Plavix) unless your provider specifically tells you it's safe to do so. This can cause blood clots to form in your body, which can be severe and life-threatening. If you're wanting to stop clopidogrel (Plavix) or switch to another blood thinner, ask your provider how to do so safely.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Taking omeprazole (Prilosec) or esomeprazole (Nexium) | Having certain genes that make clopidogrel (Plavix) work less
Certain people with a specific gene might not respond as well to clopidogrel (Plavix) because of how their bodies break down the medication. Don't start any new medications, vitamins, or supplements without first talking to your healthcare provider or pharmacist, since they could interfere with how clopidogrel (Plavix) works.
Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise the risk for bleeding
Taking clopidogrel (Plavix) can raise your risk for bleeding. Also, this medication might make it take longer than usual for bleeding to stop. You might also notice that you get bruises more easily or have more bleeding when you get a cut or nosebleed. Your risk is higher if you're also taking other medications that can cause bleeding. Tell your provider right away if you notice any abnormal bleeding, see any blood in your stool or urine, or feel more dizzy. Get medical help right away if you have a fall, head injury, or other kinds of physical injury since you might have bleeding inside your body. And contact your provider right away if you have dark or tarry stool or bleeds that are difficult to stop.
Risk factors: Stopping clopidogrel (Plavix) suddenly | Recent heart attack or stent
Don't stop taking clopidogrel (Plavix) unless your provider specifically tells you it's safe to do so. Stopping the medication too early can cause a heart attack or stroke. If you're wanting to stop clopidogrel (Plavix), contact your provider so they can create a safe plan for you.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) can cause a rare, life-threatening blood condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) where blood clots form in small blood vessels. Sometimes it can happen within the first 2 weeks of starting clopidogrel (Plavix). Get medical help right away if you have fever, unusual bleeding, easy bruising, weakness, dizziness, tiredness, or trouble breathing.
Risk factors: Allergy to prasugrel (Effient) or ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Allergic reactions to clopidogrel (Plavix) are possible, including life-threatening reactions like facial swelling, shock, and anaphylaxis. If you are allergic to prasugrel (Effient) or ticagrelor (Brilinta), you might also be allergic to clopidogrel (Plavix). Stop taking clopidogrel (Plavix) and call your doctor if you notice a rash or hives after taking this medication. Get medical help right away if you experience swelling in your face, throat, or tongue.
The typical dose is 75 mg by mouth once a day.
For people who are in the hospital right after a heart attack, a single 300-mg loading dose is given first.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Active bleeding
For people with a history of a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral artery disease:
Heart attack prevention
Stroke prevention
Lowering the risk of heart-related death, heart attack, and stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) or who've had a previous heart attack
Lowering the risk of a first-time heart attack or stroke in high-risk people with coronary artery disease (CAD)
Lowering the risk of stroke in people who've had a previous stroke or a high-risk transient ischemic attack (TIA) (also called "mini stroke")
Prevention of blood clot problems in people who received a stent after a heart attack
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