What is Plavix?

Plavix keeps platelets in the blood coagulation (clotting) to prevent blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessels. Plavix is used to prevent blood clots after a recent heart attack or stroke, and in people with certain diseases of the heart or blood vessels. Plavix can also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. What's the most important information I should know Plavix? Plavix keeps your blood coagulation (clotting) to prevent blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessels. Because of this action of the drug, Plavix may make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have any bleeding that will not stop. You may also have bleeding inside the body, such as the stomach or intestines. Call your doctor immediately if you have bloody or black stool, or if you cough or vomit blood that looks like coffee. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Plavix. Alcohol can increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. If you need to have a type of surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist in advance that you use Plavix. You may need to stop using the drug for at least 5 days before surgery to prevent excessive bleeding. While you are taking Plavix, do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) without consulting your doctor. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis) ketorolac (Toradol), Mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others. What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Plavix? Plavix Do not use if you are allergic to clopidogrel, or if you have any bleeding, such as stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury). Before taking Plavix, talk to your doctor if you are allergic to any medications, or if you have: A hemorrhage, or bleeding disorder of the blood, such as hemophilia; A history of stroke, including TIA ( "mini-stroke"); A stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis; Liver disease, or Rénales. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Plavix, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment. FDA pregnancy category B. This medicine should not be detrimental to the unborn child. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether Plavix is excreted in human milk, or whether it could harm nursing baby. Do not use this medicine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How do I take Plavix? Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the drug in large quantities, or to take longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the instructions on your prescription label. Take this medication with a full glass of water. Plavix can be taken with or without food. Because Plavix keeps your blood coagulation (clotting) to prevent blood clots, it may also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency medical attention if you have any bleeding that will not stop. To make sure the medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor. Plavix Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. What happens if I miss a dose? Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take medicine regularly at your next scheduled time. Do not take additional medicines to compensate for the missed doses. What happens if I overdose? Search emergency physician if you think you have used too much of this product. Plavix symptoms of an overdose can include vomiting, feeling exhausted and short of breath, and the blood in your stool or vomit. What should I avoid while taking Plavix? While you are taking Plavix, do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) without consulting your doctor. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis) ketorolac (Toradol), Mefenamic acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others. Avoid sports or other activities that could result in bruising or bleeding wounds. Be very careful to avoid cuts when brushing your teeth or shaving. Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Plavix. Alcohol can increase the risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines. Plavix side effects Obtain an ambulance if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, or throat. Stop using Plavix and call your doctor immediately if you have any of these serious side effects: Bleeding from the nose or bleeding that will not stop; Black, bloody or tarry stools; Coughing blood and vomit that looks like coffee; Chest discomfort or a strong emotion, the pain spread to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, feeling sick; Numbness or sudden weakness, especially on one side of the body; Soudains headaches, confusion, vision problems, speech or balance, or Pallor of the skin, bruising or bleeding, weakness, fever and urinate more or less than usual. Continue taking Plavix and talk to your doctor if you have one of these less serious side effects: Pain in the stomach; Congestion or runny nose, cough, sore throat, or Mild 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. What other drugs affect Plavix? Before taking Plavix, talk to your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines: Phenytoin (Dilantin); Tamoxifen (Nolvadex); The tolbutamide (Orinase); Torsemide (Demadex); Fluvastatin (Lescol); An anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin (Innohep) or Drugs used to prevent blood clots, such as alteplase (Activase), anistreplase (Eminase), dipyridamole (Persantine), streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase (Abbokinase). If you use any of these medications, you may not be able to take Plavix, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment. There may be other drugs not listed that may affect Plavix. Tell your doctor about all other prescription and non-prescription drugs you are using. This includes vitamins, minerals, products made from plants, and medications prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new drug without telling your doctor. Where can I get more information? Your pharmacist has information on Plavix written for health professionals which can be viewed. What does my medication looks? Clopidogrel is available with a prescription under the brand name Plavix. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist your questions about this product, especially if it is new to you. Plavix 75 mg, round, pink, Remember, keep this and all medicines out of reach of children, never share your medications with others, and using it only for the particular required Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc ( "Multum ') is accurate, current and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by practitioners and health care consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not guarantee that the use outside the United States are appropriate, unless otherwise noted. Multum Information on drugs does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum drug information is an information resource designed to help health practitioners allowed to care for their patients and / or serve consumers viewing this service as a complement, not replace, expertise , the skills, knowledge and judgment of health care practitioners. The absence of a warning for a drug or drug combination in no way should be interpreted to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for the same patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided Multum. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions or side effects. If you have any questions about the medications you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.