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clopidogrel
Used for Heart Attack, Peripheral Artery Disease, Stroke Risk Reduction
Used for Heart Attack, Peripheral Artery Disease, Stroke Risk Reduction
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a prescription antiplatelet medication that helps lower your risk of heart attack or stroke. It works by stopping platelets in your blood from sticking together and forming clots. You take it as a tablet by mouth once a day, and it might be used alone or with aspirin in some situations. Since it's a blood thinner, the most common side effect is bleeding.
What is Clopidogrel (Plavix)?
What is Clopidogrel (Plavix) used for?
- Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people with acute coronary syndrome (ACS)
- Lower the risk of heart attack or stroke in people who recently had one, or who have peripheral artery disease
How Clopidogrel (Plavix) works
Clopidogrel (Plavix) is a type of antiplatelet medication called a P2Y12 inhibitor. It works by preventing platelets from clumping up together and forming blood clots in your body. This lowers your risk for a heart attack and stroke.
When does Clopidogrel (Plavix) start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Plavix |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | P2Y12 inhibitor |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
More on Clopidogrel (Plavix) essentials
Side effects of Clopidogrel (Plavix)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Minor bleeding (5%)
- Major bleeding (4%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Bruising
- Itchiness
- Nosebleeds
- Stomach and intestinal ulcers
- Headache
- Changes in taste
- Confusion
Clopidogrel (Plavix) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Severe bleeding: feeling faint, lightheaded, dizziness, vomiting blood, bloody or dark-colored stools, severe stomach pain or discomfort
- Blood clotting condition: headache, confusion, dizziness, fever, bleeding in your skin, bruising, tiredness, stomach pain, blood in urine, making less urine
When do Clopidogrel (Plavix) possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Rash or itching
Risk for bruising
Risk for minor bleeds (e.g., nosebleed)
Risk for major bleeds
Thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP)
Seek immediate medical care if you experience this side effect.
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
More on Clopidogrel (Plavix) side effects
The following Clopidogrel (Plavix) side effects have also been reported
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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$17.15
GoodRx discount
$10.79
Pros and cons of Clopidogrel (Plavix)
Pros
- Good choice for lowering the risk of heart attack or stroke
- Tablet that's taken once a day by mouth
- Can be taken with or without food
Cons
- Can cause major bleeding or bruising
- Has many interactions with other medications
- Might not work as well for people with East Asian descent
Pharmacist tips for Clopidogrel (Plavix)
- Take clopidogrel (Plavix) once a day at any time, with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, taking it with food might help. But avoid grapefruit or grapefruit juice because it can make the medication work less well.
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) can make you bleed more easily. Get medical help right away if you feel dizzy or lightheaded, vomit or cough up blood, or see blood in your stool.
- Get medical help right away if you hit your head while taking clopidogrel (Plavix). You might need to be checked for bleeding in the brain.
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) can interact with other medications. Avoid proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) because they can lower how well clopidogrel (Plavix) works. Also be careful with NSAIDs because they can raise your risk of bleeding.
- Clopidogrel (Plavix) might be taken with aspirin only if your prescriber tells you to. Taking them together increases your risk of bleeding.
- In general, clopidogrel (Plavix) is taken for up to a year and sometimes even longer. How long you take it depends on why you need it and your bleeding risk.
- Don’t stop clopidogrel (Plavix) unless your prescriber tells you to. Stopping suddenly can raise your risk of heart attacks or strokes, so talk to your prescriber before making any changes.
More on Clopidogrel (Plavix) tips
Risks and warnings for Clopidogrel (Plavix)
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.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) not working as well
- Risk factors: Also taking PPIs | Having certain genes that make clopidogrel (Plavix) work less
Some people with a certain gene might not respond as well to clopidogrel (Plavix) because their body doesn’t break down the medication the same way. This can make the medication less effective for preventing heart attacks or strokes. Don't start any new medications, vitamins, or supplements without talking to your prescriber or pharmacist first, since they could affect how clopidogrel (Plavix) works.
Bleeding
- Risk factors: Taking other medications that raise the risk for bleeding | Taking other medications that interact with clopidogrel (Plavix)
Taking clopidogrel (Plavix) can raise your risk for bleeding and might make bleeding take longer to stop. You might bruise more easily or notice more bleeding from small cuts or nosebleeds, especially if you also take other medications that raise your bleeding risk.
Tell your prescriber right away if you notice unusual bleeding, blood in your urine or stool, or feel dizzy. Get medical help right away if you fall, hit your head, or get injured, since bleeding could happen inside your body. Also contact your prescriber right away if you have dark or tarry stools or bleeding that’s hard to stop.
Risk of heart attack or stroke if stopped suddenly
Don't stop taking clopidogrel (Plavix) unless your prescriber tells you it's safe. Stopping it too soon can raise your risk of a heart attack or stroke. If you want to stop taking this medication, talk to your prescriber so they can help you do it safely.
Blood clotting condition
Clopidogrel (Plavix) can cause a rare, life-threatening condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), where tiny blood clots form in small blood vessels. This can sometimes happen within the first 2 weeks of starting the medication. Get medical help right away if you have a fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness, dizziness, extreme tiredness, or trouble breathing.
Allergic reaction
- Risk factors: Allergy to prasugrel (Effient) or ticagrelor (Brilinta)
Allergic reactions to clopidogrel (Plavix) can happen, including serious reactions like facial swelling, shock, or anaphylaxis. If you're allergic to similar medications like prasugrel (Effient) or ticagrelor (Brilinta), you might also be allergic to this medication.
Stop taking clopidogrel (Plavix) and call your prescriber if you get a rash or hives. Get medical help right away if you have swelling of your face, throat, or tongue.
More on Clopidogrel (Plavix) warnings
Clopidogrel (Plavix) dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 75mg of Clopidogrel (Plavix) is $10.79 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 37.08% off the average retail price of $17.15.
Typical dosage for Clopidogrel (Plavix)
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.
More on Clopidogrel (Plavix) dosage
Interactions between Clopidogrel (Plavix) and other drugs
Clopidogrel (Plavix) may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Clopidogrel (Plavix). Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Clopidogrel (Plavix) interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Defibrotide
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.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Alfentanil
- Alipogene Tiparvovec
- Alteplase, Recombinant
- Amiodarone
- Amlodipine
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Anagrelide
- Anileridine
- Apalutamide
- Apixaban
- Ardeparin
- Argatroban
- Aspirin
- Bemiparin
- Benzhydrocodone
- Betrixaban
- Bivalirudin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Butorphanol
- Caplacizumab-yhdp
- Celecoxib
- Certoparin
- Choline Salicylate
- Cilostazol
- Cimetidine
- Citalopram
- Clevidipine
- Clonixin
- Cobicistat
- Codeine
- Dabigatran Etexilate
- Dalteparin
- Danaparoid
- Desirudin
- Desvenlafaxine
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diacetylmorphine
- Diclofenac
- Difenoxin
- Diflunisal
- Dihydrocodeine
- Diltiazem
- Diphenoxylate
- Dipyridamole
- Dipyrone
- Droxicam
- Duloxetine
- Edoxaban
- Enoxaparin
- Eptifibatide
- Escitalopram
- Esomeprazole
- Ethylmorphine
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Etravirine
- Felbamate
- Felbinac
- Felodipine
- Fenoprofen
- Fentanyl
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Fluconazole
- Flufenamic Acid
- Fluoxetine
- Flurbiprofen
- Fluvoxamine
- Fondaparinux
- Heparin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Ibrutinib
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Inotersen
- Isradipine
- Ketobemidone
- Ketoconazole
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Lansoprazole
- Lepirudin
- Levomilnacipran
- Levorphanol
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Milnacipran
- Morniflumate
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Nabumetone
- Nadroparin
- Nalbuphine
- Naproxen
- Nefazodone
- Nepafenac
- Nicardipine
- Nicomorphine
- Nifedipine
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Nimodipine
- Nisoldipine
- Omeprazole
- Opium
- Opium Alkaloids
- Oxaprozin
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Paclitaxel
- Papaveretum
- Parecoxib
- Paregoric
- Parnaparin
- Paroxetine
- Phenindione
- Phenprocoumon
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piracetam
- Piritramide
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Protein C
- Rabeprazole
- Remifentanil
- Repaglinide
- Reviparin
- Rifampin
- Rivaroxaban
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Selexipag
- Selumetinib
- Sertraline
- Sibutramine
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sufentanil
- Sulindac
- Tapentadol
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Ticagrelor
- Ticlopidine
- Tilidine
- Tinzaparin
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Tramadol
- Trazodone
- Tucatinib
- Valdecoxib
- Venlafaxine
- Verapamil
- Vilazodone
- Vortioxetine
- Warfarin
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.
How much does Clopidogrel (Plavix) cost?
To access savings, use a GoodRx coupon and pay just a fraction of the retail price.
Clopidogrel (Plavix) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Clopidogrel (Plavix) will not be safe for you to take.
- Active bleeding
What are alternatives to Clopidogrel (Plavix)?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Clopidogrel (Plavix). Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Clopidogrel (Plavix) images
