Clopidogrel

U.S. Brand Names

Plavix®

Canadian Brand Names

Plavix®

Mexican Brand Names

Plavix

Pharmacologic Category

Antiplatelet Agent

What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?

Stent patients: Talk with heart doctor before stopping this medicine, even if told to do so by another healthcare provider.

Reasons not to take this medicine

• If you have an allergy to clopidogrel or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have bleeding problems.

• If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to prevent heart attacks.

• This medicine is used to prevent strokes.

• This medicine is used after heart procedures to protect the arteries.

• This medicine is used to decrease heart attacks in patients who have unstable angina or mild heart attacks.

How does it work?

• Clopidogrel prevents platelets from becoming sticky and clumping together.

How is it best taken?

• To gain the most benefit, do not miss doses.

• Take this medicine at a similar time of day.

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

• Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with heart doctor.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

• Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers that you use this medicine.

• Stent patients: Talk with your heart doctor before stopping this medicine for any reason.

• You may bleed more easily. Be careful. Avoid injury. Use soft toothbrush, electric razor.

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Talk with healthcare provider before using other aspirin-containing products, other pain medicines, blood thinners, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, or vitamin E.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor).

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Flu-like symptoms. These include headache, weakness, fever, shakes, aches, pains, and sweating. Mild pain medicine may help.

• Belly pain or heartburn.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Diarrhea.

• Headache.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Chest pain or pressure.

• Change in strength on one side greater than the other, difficulty speaking or thinking, change in balance, or blurred vision.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Severe headache.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe diarrhea.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2006-10-13 11:36:50.0

Modified: 2008-02-11 16:17:17.0

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