Clopidogrel (kloe-PID-oh-grel) - Patient Education Home

Clopidogrel (kloe-PID-oh-grel)
This medicine is used alone or together with aspirin to help prevent stroke, heart
attack and other heart problems caused by atherosclerosis or the buildup of fat in
your arteries. Clopidogrel is part of a group of medicines called antiplatelets.
ANTI means against and PLATELETS normally travel in your blood vessels and
can be activated to help your blood clot. This medicine works to stop platelets in
your blood from causing blockages by clumping or clotting.
Some people need surgery to place a stent which works like a wire cage holding
open a blood vessel usually in the brain, heart, kidney, or leg. An antiplatelet
medicine such as clopidogrel is used together with aspirin to stop platelets from
clumping or clotting to block the stent. For more information about stents, ask
for the patient education handout, Protect Your Stent .
Brand Name: Plavix
When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:
Do not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to clopidogrel, or if
you have a bleeding stomach ulcer or a head injury that has caused bleeding in
your brain.
Tell your doctor if you have any liver problems.
How to Use This Medicine:
Tablet
Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often.
Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
Ask your doctor if you should use aspirin with clopidogrel.
© Copyright 2003 - January 24, 2013. The Ohio State
University Wexner Medical Center - Upon request all
patient education handouts are available in other
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language needs, call (614) 293-3191.
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Depending on the reason your doctor prescribed clopidogrel, you may need to
take this medicine for 1 month, 6 months, 1 year or for the rest of your life. It
is very important that you understand how long you need to take this
medicine and you should not stop taking your antiplatelet medicine
unless your doctor (AND surgeon if you have a stent) tell you.
This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Read and follow these
instructions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any
questions. Ask your pharmacist for the Medication Guide if you do not have
one.
If you have less than a two week supply of medicine, ask your doctor for
a new prescription.
If a dose is missed:
If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it
is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the
missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from
heat, moisture, and direct light. Do NOT store in a bathroom with a shower.
Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to
dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep all medicine away from children and pets and never share your
medicine with anyone.
Medicines that can interact with clopidogrel:
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including overthe-counter
medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
You may be at increased risk for bleeding if you are also taking any of these
medicines with your clopidogrel. In some patients, your doctor may approve
using the these medicines together:
apixaban (Eliquis ® )
dabigatran (Pradaxa ® )
enoxaparin (Lovenox ® )
heparin
rivaroxaban (Xarelto ® )
warfarin (Coumadin ® ,
Jantoven ® )

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Tell your doctor if you are taking any of these medicines that are also part of
the same group of medicines called antiplatelets. You should NOT take any
of these medicines together with clopidogrel.
ticagrelor (Brilinta ® )
prasugrel (Effient ® )
ticlopidine (Ticlid ® )
Talk with your doctor before you take aspirin (unless already prescribed) or
any other cold-relief, pain or arthritis medicine called Non-Steroidal Anti-
Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs). Examples of NSAIDs include:
celecoxib (Celebrex ® )
dicolfenac (Voltaren ® )
etodolac (Lodine ® )
fenoprofen (Nalfon ® )
ibuprofen (Motrin ® )
indomethacin (Indocin ® )
ketoprofen (Orudis ® )
meloxicam (Mobic ® )
nabumetone (Relafen ® )
naproxen (Aleve ® )
piroxicam (Feldene ® )
sulindac (Clinoril ® )
Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using etravirine (Intelence ® ),
felbamate (Felbatol ® ), fluoxetine (Prozac ® ), or fluvoxamine (Luvox ® ). Tell
your doctor if you are using medicine to treat a fungus infection (such as
fluconazole, ketoconazole, voriconazole, Diflucan ® , Nizoral ® , or Vfend ® ), or
certain stomach medicines (such as cimetidine, Tagamet ® ).
Tell your doctor if you take esomeprazole (Nexium ® ) or omeprazole
(Prilosec ® ). Your doctor may decide change the medicine you take for
stomach acid problems while you take clopidogrel.
Warnings While Using This Medicine:
Taking this medicine can cause you to bleed longer than normal. If you have
bleeding that you cannot control or that is severe, tell your doctor right
away or report for emergency evaluation if you are unable to reach your
doctor.
Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you
have had a recent stroke, or if you have a history of bleeding problems.
Your doctor may do genetic tests before prescribing this medicine to find out
if you have a liver enzyme deficiency. This medicine may not work as well if
you are found to have certain genetic factors that limit how much medicine is
activated.
You may bleed or bruise more easily while you take this medicine, and any
bleeding may take longer than usual to stop. Avoid rough sports or other
situations where you could fall, be bruised, cut, or injured.

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Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you use this
medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine at least 5 days before
having surgery or other procedures (such as coronary stent procedure or
dental surgery). Tell your doctor if you plan to have surgery or a dental
procedure. Depending on the reason you take clopidogrel, and how long you
need to take it, your doctors may decide to wait to schedule a procedure until
you are finished with your course of clopidogrel IF the procedure is not an
emergency.
Do NOT stop taking your medicine without your doctor's permission. IF
you have a stent, do NOT stop taking your medicine unless the surgeon
AND the doctor who placed the stent agree to stop it.
Check with your doctor right away if you have the following symptoms:
confusion, dark or bloody urine, difficulty speaking, fever, seizures,
weakness, or skin changes (pale skin, yellow eyes or skin, or pinpoint red
spots). These maybe symptoms of a rare and serious condition called
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP).
Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are
using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. Blood tests may be
needed to check for unwanted effects.
Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or
Pink or brown urine
hives, swelling in your face or
hands, swelling or tingling in
your mouth or throat, chest
Seizures
Severe stomach pain
tightness, trouble breathing
Shortness of breath, tiredness,
Bloody or black, tarry stools
Nosebleeds
uneven heartbeat, and yellowing
of your skin or the whites of your
eyes
Pale skin
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or
weakness
Pinpoint red or purple spots on
skin or in the mouth
Problems with vision, speech, or
walking
Vomiting of blood or vomit that
looks like coffee grounds
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell
your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088
Adapted from © 2013 Truven Health Analytics Inc., Micromedex CareNotes ® System.