What is Clopidogrel?
Clopidogrel is used to reduce the chance of suffering from a blood clot, stroke, or serious heart issue after having a heart attack, chest pain that is severe (angina), or circulatory problems. Clopidogrel can also be employed for other purposes that are not covered in this medication guide.
Warnings
It is not recommended to take clopidogrel when you are experiencing any active bleeding, such as an ulcer in the stomach or bleeding within the brain. Clopidogrel increases the chance of bleeding, which could be fatal or life-threatening. Call your doctor or seek medical attention in an emergency when you experience bleeding that won't stop, such as when you find bleeding in the urine or bloody or black stool, or if you are coughing out blood or vomit that appears as coffee grinds.
Stop taking the medication clopidogrel before talking with your doctor, regardless of the indications for bleeding. Stopping clopidogrel may increase the risk of having a stroke or heart attack.
Before you Take this Drug
You shouldn't make use of clopidogrel when you have an allergy to it or are suffering from:
- any bleeding that is active;
- an ulcer in the stomach as well as bleeding from the cerebral area (such as an accident to the head).
Speak to your doctor if you have ever suffered from:
- An ulcer in your stomach, in your intestines.
- A bleeding disorder or blood clotting disorder.
Clopidogrel might not perform better if you are suffering from particular genetic issues that influence the metabolism of this medication within your body. The doctor can run a blood test in order to determine if clopidogrel is suitable for you.
This medication is not believed to harm a baby who is not yet born. But the use of clopidogrel one week prior to childbirth could cause bleeding within the mother. Tell your doctor that you are expecting or are planning to be pregnant.
It is not recommended to breastfeed while taking this medication.
How to Take Clopidogrel?
Follow the directions on the prescription label and go through all medication guides or instruction sheets. Follow these medications exactly according to the directions.
Clopidogrel is a medicine that can be taken either with or without food. Clopidogrel can be taken along with aspirin. Aspirin should only be taken when your physician tells you to. Clopidogrel stops blood from bleeding (clotting) and may make it more difficult for you to bleed in the event of an injury of a minor nature. Consult your physician or seek urgent medical attention in the event of bleeding that won't stop.
You might need to stop taking clopidogrel for a brief period before having a medical or dental procedure. Any medical professional treating patients with clopidogrel should be aware that they are taking it.
Do not discontinue taking clopidogrel without first speaking to your physician, regardless of the fact that you are bleeding. Stopping the medicine may increase your chances of having a stroke or heart attack. Keep at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
What Happens If I Miss a Dose?
Do not take the medicine for as long as you can. However, avoid any missed doses if it's nearing the time to take the next dose. Don't take two doses at once.
What Happens If I Overdose?
Get medical attention immediately or contact the poison help line at 1-800-222-1222 for help. The overdose could cause excessive bleeding.
What Should be Avoided?
Avoid alcohol. This can increase the risk of bleeding in your stomach.
Avoid activities that increase the chances of sustaining injuries or bleeding. Make sure you take extra precautions to prevent bleeding while shaving or brushing your teeth.
If you are also taking aspirin, consult your physician prior to using any medications to treat discomfort, high fever, swelling, and other symptoms of the cold/ or flu. these medicines may contain components like aspirin (such as salicylates, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, or naproxen). Combining these items can increase the chance of bleeding.
Side Effects of Clopidogrel
See a doctor immediately. Get medical attention immediately if you notice symptoms that indicate an allergic reaction, like hives, trouble breathing, and swelling of your lips, face, or tongue.
Clopidogrel increases the chance of bleeding. This can be life-threatening or severe. Call your doctor or seek medical emergency attention when you experience bleeding that isn't stopping, if you notice bleeding in the urine or bloody or black stool, or if you throw up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
Make sure to contact your doctor at the earliest opportunity if you are suffering from:
- Asal bleeding, pale skin, bleeding easily, and purple spots on your skin or inside your mouth;
- Jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin)
- Rapid heartbeats, a shortness of breath
- Headache, fever, and fatigue
- Very little or no urine
- A seizure
- Lower blood sugar—headache or anxiety, sweating, irritation, dizziness, a high heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky.
- Indications of a blood clot: sudden weakness or numbness, issues with vision, or speech.
Common side effects of clopidogrel include:
- Bleeding
This isn't an exhaustive list of possible side effects, and other effects may also be present. Contact your doctor for advice regarding medical effects. You can report any side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Details on Dosage
Usual Adult Dose for Acute Coronary Syndrome:
Unstable Angina (UA) or Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI):
Dose for loading: 300 mg once orally
Dose for maintenance: 75 mg orally every day.
Time of therapy: The optimal duration has not been determined.
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI):
Loading dose: 300 mg, orally once (OPTIONAL)
Maintenance dosage: 75 mg daily, orally, with or without thrombolytics
Duration of therapy: the ideal duration has not been determined.
Comments:
Take this medication in conjunction with aspirin, from 75 mg up to 325 mg, orally, every day.
The benefit of this medication for patients undergoing percutaneous coronary surgery is not known.
Applications: Prevention of atherothrombotic events for patients suffering from STEMI that are not elevated by ST segment acute coronary syndrome (UA, NSTEMI, patients who need to be treated with medical care, and those to be treated using cardiovascular treatment with revascularization) as well as STEMI.
Usual Adult Dose for Ischemic Stroke:
75 mg orally, once a day
Uses: To prevent atherothrombotic events in patients who have had a history of recent myocardial injury, recent stroke, or chronic peripheral arterial disease.
Usual Adult Dose for Myocardial Infarction:
75 mg orally, once a day
Uses: Preventing atherothrombotic events in patients who have a history of recent myocardial injury, recent stroke, or existing chronic peripheral arterial disease
Usual Adult Dose for Peripheral Arterial Disease:
75 mg taken orally every day
Uses: Preventing atherothrombotic complications in patients who have a history of recent myocardial infarction, a recent stroke, or an established chronic peripheral arterial disease
Interaction with Other Drugs
There are times when it's not recommended to use certain medicines together. Certain drugs may affect the blood levels of other medications you are taking, which could cause more side effects or make the drugs less effective.
Discuss with your doctor any other medications you take, particularly:
- An acid-reducing stomach medication like omeprazole, Nexium, or Prilosec;
- An antidepressant, such as fluoxetine, citalopram, sertraline, Cymbalta, Effexor, Lexapro, Pristiq, or Prozac;
- Rifampin;
- A blood thinner (Warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven); or
- The NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) are aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), Celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list isn't exhaustive. Other medications can affect Clopidogrel, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. There are many possible interactions between drugs that are listed here.
