Helps reduce strokes, heart attacks, and other heart problems caused by atherosclerosis (clogged arteries). This medicine is a blood thinner.
Brand Name(s):
Plavix
There may be other brand names for this medicine.
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to clopidogrel, or if you have a bleeding stomach ulcer or head injury that has caused bleeding in your brain.
How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
You may take this medicine with or without food.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using fluvastatin (Lescol®), other blood thinners (such as heparin, warfarin, or Coumadin®), or a stomach medicine (such as esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, pantoprazole, rabeprazole, Aciphex®, Nexium®, Prevacid®, Prilosec®, Protonix®, or Zegerid®).
Talk with your doctor before taking aspirin or any other type of pain or arthritis medicine (such as diclofenac, etodolac, ibuprofen, indomethacin, Advil®, Aleve®, Daypro®, Dolobid®, Feldene®, Indocin®, Motrin®, Orudis®, Relafen®, or Voltaren®), phenytoin (Dilantin®), tamoxifen (Nolvadex®), tolbutamide (Orinase®), or torsemide (Demadex®).
If you are using this medicine for a condition called acute coronary syndrome, your doctor may tell you to take aspirin while you are using clopidogrel. In this case, do not change the dose or stop taking the aspirin without talking to your doctor first.
Warnings While Using This Medicine:
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease.
While you are using this medicine, if you have any kind of bleeding, it may take longer than usual to stop, especially if you hurt yourself. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured.
You may also have bleeding inside your body and not be aware of it. Tell your doctor if you have any unusual bleeding such as nosebleeds or blood in your urine or stools.
Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine.
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
Bloody or black, tarry stools.
Chest pain (not related to your disease).
Fever, chills, or sore throat.
Red or dark brown urine.
Severe stomach pain.
Skin rash.
Unusual bleeding or bruising.
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
