Brand Name

Plavix {Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals}

Generic Name

clopidogrel, pronounced kloe PID oh grel

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Plavix?

Plavix is an antiplatelet drug, which means it works by preventing specialized blood cells called platelets from sticking together to form clots in your blood. Blood clots can lead to issues such as heart attacks and strokes, so Plavix is prescribed to help prevent these conditions. .

Key Facts About Plavix

Plavix is an antiplatelet drug that works by keeping the platelets in your blood from clotting, helping prevent heart attacks and strokes. Because of the way Plavix works you should also be aware that while taking Plavix you may be at a higher than normal risk of bleeding more easily, more heavily and for longer periods of time. You should be aware of this and seek medical care if you experience bleeding that will not stop.

There is a risk to patients taking Plavix to experience stomach or intestinal bleeding. It is important for you to contact your physician is you have stools that are bloody or black, or if you cough or vomit blood or a fluid that looks like coffee grounds. These signs may indicate that you are bleeding in your digestive tract.

Drinking alcohol may increase your bleeding risk, especially in your stomach or intestines. Consumption of alcohol should be avoided.

If you are planning to have any kind of procedure or surgery (general or dental), let your practitioner know beforehand that you are taking Plavix. Your doctor may need you to stop taking your medication at least five days prior to your procedure to prevent excess bleeding. Your practitioner will advise you as to when you may start taking your usual Plavix dose again.

Plavix is changed to its active form by the liver before it begins to work. Certain medications can affect how well Plavix works for you.

Inform your doctor if they are taking any of the following:

• anticoagulants (warfarin, Coumadin, heparin, ticlopidene,Ticlid, dalteparin, Fragmin, enoxaparin, Lovenox)
• antifungals (fluconazole, Diflucan, voriconazole, Vfend, ketoconazole, Nizoral)
• armodafanil (NuVigil) or modafanil (Provigil)
• aspirin (Bayer)
• cancer medications (dasatinib, Sprycel, letrozole, Femara, tositumomab,Bexxar, ibritumomab, Zevalin)
• fluoxetine (Prozac)
• gemfibrozil (Lopid)
• HIV medications (etravirine ,Intelence, tipranavir, Aptivus, ordelavirdine, Rescriptor)
• ibuprofen
• isoniazid (Rifamate, Rifater)
• naproxen
• proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole, Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid, cimetidine,Tagamet, esomeprazole, Nexium),
• seizure medications such as felbamate (Felbatol) or oxcarbazepine (Trileptal)

This list isn’t exhaustive so be please be sure to let your doctor know all of the medications you are taking before taking Plavix especially any other medications you may take to prevent blood clots.

Before You Take Plavix

Tell your doctor if you have bleeding or blood clotting disorder, bleeding ulcers, a history of stroke or hemophilia, as you may not be able to take Plavix.

Tell your doctor if you have a history of Liver or Kidney disease.

If you are allergic to clopidogrel let your doctor know before taking Plavix.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, think you may be pregnant, plan on becoming pregnant, or are breast-feeding. As an FDA pregnancy category B drug, Plavix is not known to be harmful to unborn babies. It has not yet been determined if clopidogrel passes into breast milk, causing harm to a nursing baby. If you are a breastfeeding mother you should not breast-feed while taking Plavix.

Directions for Taking Plavix

It is important for you to take Plavix exactly as your doctor has prescribed it. You should not take doses in alternate amounts, or for a length of time other than what was prescribed. Your prescription label will indicate specific instructions on how you should take this medication.

Plavix should be taken with a full glass of water.

You may take Plavix with or without food.

Plavix should be stored away from both heat and moisture, preferably at room temperature.

If you miss a dose of Plavix the next dose should be taken in a timely manner, but if it is almost time for the next dose, it should be skipped. Double doses should not be taken.

Patients who overdose on Plavix should contact their health care provider, local poison control center or call for emergency assistance. Signs of an overdose may include exhaustion, shortness of breath, vomiting, and bloody stools or bloody vomit.

Plavix Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Plavix and seek emergency medical help immediately:

• Hives and rashes
• Difficulty breathing or swallowing
• Swelling
• Black or bloody stools
• Bloody vomit
• Hoarse voice
• Vision loss or disturbance
• Weakness in extremities
• Labored speech
• Fever
• Purple patches on your skin
• Palpitations
• Confusion
• A yellowing of the eyes or skin
• Chest pain or a heavy feeling with pain spreading to the arm or shoulder
• Blood in your stools or urine.

Less serious side effects may include:

• Exhaustion
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Nausea
• Stomach pain
• Diarrhea
• Itching
• An increased risk of nosebleeds

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Plavix. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Plavix Drug Interactions

If you take Plavix with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is important for you to check with your doctor before combining Plavix with the following medications:

• Esomeprazole (Nexium)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID’s) such as:
• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren)
• ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
• indomethacin (Indocin)
• meloxicam (Mobic)
• naproxen (Aleve, Naproxen)
• Omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid)
• Warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)

This list isn’t exhaustive so be please be sure to let your doctor know all of the medications you are taking before taking Plavix.

Plavix Description and Dosing

Plavix is offered in doses of both 75 and 300 milligrams.

The 75 milligram tablets are round and pink.

The 300 milligram dose is pink and oblong.

Typical treatment for adults with a risk for blood clots is one 75 milligram tablet per day, with or without food.

Adults with Atrial Fibrillation or who cannot take oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin may also be prescribed 75 milligrams once daily.

Patients with unstable angina or who have recently had a heart attack may be prescribed a one time dose of 300 milligrams, followed by a 75 milligrams once daily treatment.

All people taking Plavix should consult their doctor for specific dosing pertaining to them. Do not attempt to alter or change your dose without your physician’s consent.

Ingredients in Plavix

The main chemical ingredient is clopidogrel bisulfate. Additional ingredients include microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 6000, hydrogenated castor oil, mannitol, hydroxypropylcellulose, lactose, hypromellose, titanium dioxide, triacetin and red iron oxide and carnuba wax.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.