Drug Name

Plavix (Clopidogrel)

Drug Uses

Clopidogrel is used to prevent Strokes and heart attack in persons who are at high risk. In one great learning, Clopidogrel is more effective than Aspirin in Reducing heart Attacks. The frequency of side Effects of Clopidogrel was similar to aspirin, however, stomach and Intestinal Bleeding Occurs probably less frequent with Clopidogrel as with aspirin.

How to use

Take clopidogrel exactly as directed by your doctor. Clopidogrel can be taken with or without food. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. Take each dose with a full glass of water. 

Drug Class and Mechanism

Clopidogrel is an anti - platelet drug, that is, a drug that Inhibits the ability of Platelets to Clamp together as part of a Blood Clot. It is similar to tiklopidine (tiklid) in chemical structure and in the way it works. Unlike tiklopidine, paxil can not inflict serious Reductions of white Cells in the blood and, therefore, routine blood testing to determine if the white blood cell count is low is not necessary during treatment. The risk of heart attack and Stokes (Usually that are caused by blood Klotz) is Increased in patients with a recent history of stroke or heart attack and patients with Peripheral Vascular disease. (Peripheral Vascular disease is the same as atherosklerotik Arterial disease or "Hardening" of the arteries in which the arteries become Narrowed. It Occurs frequently in the legs and often Causes klaudikatyon or pain in the hopped to Walking). Clopidogrel is used to reduce the risk of heart attack and Stokes in the patients. Clopidogrel is Approved by the fda in 1997.

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Do not take a double dose of this medication. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose.

Storage

Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15-30 degrees C (59-86 degrees F), away from moisture and heat.

Warnings/Precautions

Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking the Medication Before Housing to surgical Procedures. Do not take aspirin, Ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (out, out hi, orvuail), indomethasin (indosin), nabumetone (relafen), oxaprozin (daypro ), or other Non - steroidal Anti - Inflammatory Medications (nsaids) an initial Talking to your doctor. It can take a long as usual for you to keep Bleeding, even from minor Wounds. Tell your doctor about any unusual Bleeding or Bruising that you experience. Studies in rat have shown that Clopidogrel appears in breast milk, however, it is not known whether it also appears in human breast milk. Because of a potential for side Effects in the nursing infant, "the physician need about the potential benefits and possible Risks Before Prescribing klopidogrel in nursing mothers.

Possible Side Effects

The tolerabiliti of klopidogrel is similar to that of aspirin. Diarrhea, rash, or Itching Occurs in approximately 1 in 20 persons taking klopidogrel. Abdominal pain also Occurs in about 1 in 20 person, but is less frequent than with aspirin. 

  Tiklopidine (tiklid) is an antiplatelet Medication quite similar to Clopidogrel. It was Associated with a severe reduction in white blood cell count in between 0.8% and 1% of the person. The risk of the dangerous side effect with klopidogrel is about 0.04%, much less than with tiklopidine but twice that of aspirin. 

  Clopidogrel rareli Causes a condition called thrombotik thrombositopenik purple (kind) in one of every 250,000 people. Type is a serious condition in which blood Clots form Throughout the body. Blood Platelets, which Participate in Keating, are Consumed, and the result can be Bleeding because enough Platelets are no long left to allow blood to Klatt Normally. For comparison, the related drug, tiklodipine (tiklid), Causes pot 17-50 times more frequently than Clopidogrel.

More Information

• If you experience any of the following serious side Effects, keep taking klopidogrel and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor promptly: 
  A Allergic reaction (difficulty Breathing: Closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, or Hives); 
  Bloody "(or black) vomit or Stools; 
  Severe headache, confusion, or dizziness; 
  Unexplained Bruising or Bleeding, or 
  Bleeding nose. 
  Other, less serious side Effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Clopidogrel and talk to your doctor if you experience 
  Upset stomach; 
  Diarrhea or constipation, or 
  Headache or dizziness. 
  Side Effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that Seems unusual or that is especially Bothersome.