Tell your doctor if you develop an allergic reaction including skin reactions while taking Plavix. Plavix may increase blood levels of other medicines such as repaglinide (Prandin). Plavix may affect the way other medicines work, and other medicines may affect how Plavix works. See “What is the most important information I should know about Plavix?”.
- The generic form of Plavix is called clopidogrel, while the generic form of Effient is called prasugrel.
- This section describes what’s known about the safety of taking clopidogrel while pregnant or breastfeeding.
- Before you take Plavix, be sure to talk with your doctor about your health history.
- The expiration date helps guarantee that the medication is effective during this time.
Your doctor may instruct you to stop clopidogrel for at least 5 days before surgery. Do not stop taking clopidogrel without talking with your heart doctor (cardiologist) first. The dosage and length of treatment are based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Consult your doctor for more details and about the risks of stopping early.
Your doctor may perform a blood test to make sure clopidogrel is right for you. However, not every pharmacy stocks Plavix, the brand-name form. If your doctor prescribes Plavix, when filling your prescription, be sure to call ahead to make sure your pharmacy carries it. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
Search prescription drugs, over-the counter medications, and supplements
In certain situations, clopidogrel is taken in combination with aspirin. If your doctor tells you to take clopidogrel and aspirin, these medications may be taken together or separately as long as they are each taken once daily. Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Below is a partial list of mild side effects of clopidogrel.
Internal Bleeding
Call your doctor right away if you have any unexplained shortness of breath while you’re taking Plavix. You likely won’t have blood pressure changes while you’re taking Plavix. However, sudden drops in blood pressure may be a symptom of serious internal bleeding, which is a possible side effect of Plavix. It’s possible to have mild headaches while you’re using Plavix. In fact, many drugs are known to cause headaches as a side effect.
However, in earlier reports of children who were breastfed by people taking clopidogrel, no negative effects were seen. If you have questions about how long you’ll take clopidogrel or what to expect after stopping the drug, alcohol consumption can be a double-edged sword for chronic kidney disease patients pmc talk with your doctor. They can also advise you on other ways to reduce your risk of serious cardiovascular problems. If you’re having surgery, your doctor will tell you which medications to stop before the procedure.
FDA Warning: Liver function warning
This drug helps to reduce the risk of a blood clot forming inside the stent. However, Plavix is also sometimes prescribed for a while after a stent is placed. The length of Plavix treatment depends on if the stent placed is a drug-eluting stent (a stent that gives off a drug) or a bare metal stent. If you have a headache while you’re using Plavix, it’s important to understand which pain medications are safe for you to take. Usually, your doctor or pharmacist will recommend that you take acetaminophen (Tylenol) if you’re using Plavix.
Other factors may also affect whether this drug is a good treatment option for you. If you have symptoms of a severe allergic reaction, such as swelling or trouble breathing, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. These symptoms could be life threatening and require immediate medical care. Plavix prevents your blood from clotting, so you could have bleeding that doesn’t stop easily.
Related treatment guides
If Plavix must be temporarily discontinued (e.g., to treat bleeding or for surgery with a major risk of bleeding), restart it as soon as possible. When possible, interrupt therapy with Plavix for five days prior to such surgery. The recommended dose is 75 mg per day for patient with a history of MI, stroke, or peripheral 3 ways to stop taking wellbutrin vascular disease. Do not stop taking clopidogrel without first talking to your doctor, even if you have signs of bleeding. Stopping the medicine could increase your risk of a heart attack or stroke. However, there are potential risks to the mother and fetus if a heart attack or stroke occurs during pregnancy.
The recommended adult dose of clopidogrel for most conditions is 75 mg once daily. When used by people with acute coronary syndromes, a 300 mg “loading dose” is initially prescribed. After this, treatment starts with 75 mg of clopidogrel once daily. However, keep in mind that if you’re taking Plavix, you’ve probably had a cardiovascular event, such as heart attack or stroke, or you’re at a risk of having one.
If you have a blood clotting disorder or other risks of bleeding, your doctor may monitor you more closely by performing blood tests while you’re taking Plavix. Otherwise, you likely won’t need to have routine blood tests to check your clotting ability. If you’re taking an opioid, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe for you to use Plavix.
However, you shouldn’t drink too much coffee when you’re taking Plavix. This is because coffee can irritate the lining of your stomach, which can sometimes cause stomach upset or bleeding. Plavix also increases your risk of bleeding, which can sometimes occur in your stomach.
