Canadian pharmacy buying guide: drug characteristics, uses and benefits, side effects and interactions, and links for further information about buying discount drugs online from Canada.

Plavix Consumer Information

CLOPIDOGREL

Generic Name: clopidogrel (kloe pih daw grel)

Brand Names: Plavix

What is the most important information I should know about clopidogrel?

• It may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding, even from minor wounds. Tell your doctor about any unusual bleeding or bruising that you experience.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before having any surgical procedures.
• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) without first talking to your doctor.

What is clopidogrel?

• Clopidogrel prevents platelets (substances in the blood) from clustering. This helps to prevent blood from forming blood clots.
• Clopidogrel is used in the prevention and treatment of heart attack, stroke, blood clots, and acute coronary syndrome.
• Clopidogrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clopidogrel?

• Do not take clopidogrel if you have active bleeding anywhere in the body such as the stomach (ulcer) or in the head (type of stroke).
• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you:
• have a bleeding or blood disorder,
• have a stomach or intestinal ulcer;
• have liver disease; or
• need to have surgery (including dental surgery).
• You may not be able to take clopidogrel, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.
• Clopidogrel is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is unlikely to harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
• It is not known whether clopidogrel passes into breast milk. Clopidogrel is not recommended for use during breast-feeding. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take clopidogrel?

• Take clopidogrel exactly as directed by your doctor. 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.
• Clopidogrel can be taken with or without food.
• Store clopidogrel at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

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

What happens if I overdose?

• Seek emergency medical attention.
• Symptoms of a clopidogrel overdose are unknown but might include vomiting, difficulty breathing, blood in the vomit or stool, and exhaustion.

What should I avoid while taking clopidogrel?

• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before having any surgical procedures.
• Do not take aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) without first talking to your doctor.
• It may take longer than usual for you to stop bleeding, even from minor wounds. Tell your doctor about any unusual bleeding or bruising that you experience.

What are the possible side effects of clopidogrel?

• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking clopidogrel and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:
• an 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.

What other drugs will affect clopidogrel?

• Before taking this medication tell your doctor if you are taking
• aspirin;
• warfarin (Coumadin);
• heparin, ardeparin (Normiflo), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin (Innohep); or
• a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis KT, Orudis, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin).
• The medicines listed above can cause bleeding, especially when taken with clopidogrel. This could become dangerous. Do not take any of the medicines listed above without first talking to your doctor.
• Clopidogrel may also interact with the following medications
• phenytoin (Dilantin);
• tamoxifen (Nolvadex);
• tolbutamide (Orinase);
• torsemide (Demadex ); and
• fluvastatin (Lescol).
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medications listed above.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with clopidogrel. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has more information about clopidogrel written for health professionals that you may read.
• Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed

Limitations of This Canadian Pharmacy Information

Efforts have been made to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. This is an educational resource only intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. This site does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 2.03. Revision Date: 2/14/03.