Author: James Anderson

Clopidogrel: MedlinePlus Drug Information

If you miss a dose of Plavix by a few hours, take the daily dose as soon as you remember. But if it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. You shouldn’t take a double dose of Plavix if you missed the dose the day prior.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. Clopidogrel is converted to its active form by enzymes in the liver. Drugs that reduce the activity of these enzymes, for example, omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) or esomeprazole (Nexium) may reduce the activity of clopidogrel and should not be used with clopidogrel. In most cases, repaglinide should not be taken with clopidogrel. Taking these drugs together increases the amount of repaglinide in your body, which can result in low blood sugar levels. If you must take these drugs together, your doctor will carefully manage your dosage of repaglinide.

Because of this drug action, Plavix can make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Clopidogrel is also sometimes used to prevent blood clots in people with atrial fibrillation (a condition in which the heart beats irregularly). Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition. Clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix) is an anti-platelet drug, that is, a drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood clot. Clopidogrel prevents blood clots by irreversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets. It belongs to a class of drugs called P2Y12 inhibitors.

FDA Warning: Liver function warning

Plavix may not work as well if you have certain genetic factors that affect the breakdown of this medicine in your body. Your doctor may perform a blood test to make sure Plavix is right for you. If you’ve had recent stents placed, you should take Plavix daily until your provider tells you it’s OK to stop it.

Avoid direct blows to the head, as you might be at increased risk for intracranial bleeding with head trauma. Be sure to follow your healthcare provider’s instructions for taking clopidogrel and ask questions if you need to clarify anything. Clopidogrel is similar to ticlopidine (Ticlid) in chemical structure and in the way it works. The risk of heart attacks and strokes (which usually are caused by blood clots) is increased in patients with a recent history of stroke or heart attack, and patients with peripheral vascular disease. CLOPIDOGREL (kloh PID oh grel) lowers the risk of heart attack, stroke, or blood clots.

Other drugs in this class include ticagrelor (Brilinta) and prasugrel (Effient). However, there are potential risks to the mother and fetus if a heart attack or stroke occurs during pregnancy. Therefore, the benefit of clopidogrel in preventing these health events may outweigh any risk of the drug on the pregnancy. Taking an opioid medication with clopidogrel can delay the absorption and reduce the amount of clopidogrel in your body, making it less effective. If you must take these drugs together, your doctor may prescribe an additional medication to help prevent blood clots in certain situations. Other drugs may affect clopidogrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Highlights for clopidogrel

If you have itchy skin, it may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If it is more severe or doesn’t go away, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. For more information on the possible side effects of clopidogrel, or tips on how to deal with a troubling side effect, talk with your doctor or pharmacist. This drug may be used as part of a combination therapy. That means you may need to take it with other drugs. Your doctor will decide if you should use this drug with other drugs, such as aspirin.

Sometimes it is not safe to use certain medications at the same time. Some drugs can affect your blood levels of other drugs you take, which may increase side effects or make the medications less effective. Avoid activities that may increase your risk of bleeding or injury. Use extra care to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth. You may need to stop using clopidogrel for a short time before a surgery, medical procedure, or dental work. Any healthcare provider who treats you should know that you are taking clopidogrel.

1. Consult your doctor for more details and about the risks of stopping early.
2. Other drugs may affect clopidogrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
3. There are no adequate studies of clopidogrel in pregnant women.
4. Combining clopidogrel with warfarin or other drugs that cause bleeding increases the risk of bleeding.

Talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested. If you are found to have difficulty converting clopidogrel to its active form, your doctor may change your dose of clopidogrel or tell you not to take clopidogrel. Clopidogrel (Plavix®) is an antiplatelet drug you can take to prevent blood clots. It keeps platelets in your blood from coming together and making clots. You may need clopidogrel to prevent future issues if you had a heart attack, stroke or certain types of heart surgery. Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is an antiplatelet drug prescribed for the prevention of heart attacks and strokes in high risk individuals.

If you have acute coronary syndrome, you should take aspirin with clopidogrel. However, you should not take these drugs together if you’ve had a recent stroke. Before taking clopidogrel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to similar antiplatelet drugs (thienopyridines such as prasugrel); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Other drugs may interact with clopidogrel, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Plavix is used to lower your risk of having a stroke, blood clot, or serious heart problem after you’ve had a heart attack, severe chest pain (angina), or circulation problems.

What happens if I miss a dose of Plavix?

Talk to your doctor about other drug options that may work for you. Clopidogrel oral tablet can cause mild or serious side effects. The following list contains some of the key side effects that may occur while taking clopidogrel. This list does not include all possible side effects. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Don’t take this drug again if you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to it. You also shouldn’t take this drug if you’re allergic to thienopyridines (such as ticlopidine and clopidogrel). Taking it a second time after an allergic reaction could be fatal. Below is a list of medications that can interact with clopidogrel. This list does not contain all drugs that may interact with clopidogrel.

It reduces the chance that a harmful blood clot will form by preventing platelets from clumping together in the blood. Clopidogrel may also increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people. Do not stop taking this medicine without first talking to your doctor, even if you have signs of bleeding. Stopping clopidogrel may increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products.