What is Plavix/Clopidogrel used for?
Plavix is a medication used to prevent blood clots after recent heart attack or stroke. It is also used to treat patients with heart or blood vessel disorders. This medication works by unclotting platelets in the blood.
How should I take Plavix/Clopidogrel?
How much medicine you take and how often you take it depend on many factors, including the condition being treated and the age and weight of the patient. If you have any questions about the amount and/or frequency of the medicine you are taking, talk with your health care provider.Take Plavix with a full glass of water and can be taken with or without food. When taking Plavix, you will need to have regular visits with your doctor to ensure the medication is not causing harmful effects. It is important to not miss any of your doctor appointments.
How should Plavix/Clopidogrel be stored?
Store at room temperature. Protect from moisture and heat.
When should Plavix/Clopidogrel not be taken?
Do not take Plavix if you are allergic to clopidogrel. Also, do not take Plavix if you have a stomach ulcer, bleeding in the brain from head injury, or any other active bleeding.
What precautions should I follow when taking Plavix/Clopidogrel?
Before using this medicine, tell your health care provider about any of the following: if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding; if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine; if you have a bleeding or blood clotting disorder (ie. Hemophilia); if you have a history of stroke including mini stroke (TIA); if you have a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis, liver or kidney disease.
What special warning(s) should I be aware of when taking Plavix/Clopidogrel?
Patients taking Plavix will experience bleeding very easily, even from a small injury. If bleeding does not stop, contact your doctor or emergency help immediately. Plavix may also cause bleeding inside your body resulting in black or bloody stools or cough up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds. When taking Plavix, avoid drinking alcohol because it may increase the risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.When you need to have any type of surgery or dental work done, you may need to stop taking Plavix for at least 5 days prior to surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. Make sure you inform your doctor that you are taking Plavix.
What are the side effects of Plavix/Clopidogrel?
Most severe:Most severe: Nosebleed or other bleeding that will not stop; black, blood, or tarry stools; coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds; chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling; sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body; sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech, or balance; or pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness, fever, and urinating more or less than usual.
Most common:Most common: Stomach pain, runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat; or mild headache or dizziness
Other:Other: None.