What is Plavix 75mg and uses

Plavix (Clopidogrel bisulfate) is an anticoagulant drug. It helps in preventing platelets from sticking together and forming a blood clot. Blood clots can form in the heart, blood vessels, and various other parts of the body. Blood clots are unwanted and dangerous and can lead to death.

Plavix 75mg is used for many purposes. It is used to prevent the formation of blood clots after a recent heart attack or stroke and to prevent cardiovascular disorders.

Plavix prevents blood from coagulating, thereby preventing the formation of unwanted blood clots that can occur in the heart or blood vessels and pose a threat. When you take Plavix, it’s usual that you bleed; this is because of the anti-coagulant action of this drug.

Plavix can be used in the treatment of chest pain due to heart problems, poor circulation in the legs in peripheral arterial disease, heart attack or stroke. It can be used alone or in combination with aspirin after a current episode of heart attack or stroke.

Certain genetic factors in the body influence how the body metabolises Plavix 75mg. Your doctor will examine and test for certain genetic conditions, and then determine whether Plavix 75mg is suitable and safe for you to use. You should always take Plavix only as prescribed by a doctor.

Be careful while taking Plavix when you are already taking some prescribed or non-prescribed medicines, as this can result in bad drug interactions. Your doctor will adjust your treatment plan according to the other medications you may be taking. Certain drugs which lower acid levels in your stomach, like omeprazole, esomeprazole, Nexium, etc., can have interactions with Plavix.

You should not use Plavix mg if you suffer from active or heavy bleeding, such as in the case of stomach ulcers or bleeding in the brain, which can be due to head injury. Do not use Plavix if you are allergic to Clopidogrel or other constituents of the drug Plavix. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, then don’t use Plavix as this could be harmful to your baby. If you need to undergo surgery or dental treatment, please inform your surgeon or dentist that you are taking Plavix.

What are the possible side effects of Plavix?

Plavix can lead to serious side effects. Look for medical help if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Eye disorders: eye haemorrhage, haemorrhage from the conjunctiva of the eye, retinal haemorrhage.
• Skin problems: eczema, itching, rash, acute Pustular eruptions on skin, allergic reactions caused by a drug, allergic reactions causing serum sickness, discoloured spots and small elevations of the skin, Erythema multiforme, bleeding from wound, inflammation of the skin with blisters, life threatening allergic reaction, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, bruise, redness of skin, skin disease characterized by swollen itching lesions.
• Disorders of the respiratory system: nosebleeds, bleeding from the respiratory tract, bronchospasm, interstitial pneumonitis, pneumonia with a high number of eosinophilic white blood cells.
• Liver disorders: abnormal liver function tests, acute liver failure, hepatitis.
• Kidney diseases, including bloody urine
• Pancreas disorders: pancreatitis
• Disorders of the GIT tract: taste problems, painful, red or swollen mouth, bleeding of the stomach or intestines, bleeding in the abdomen, inflammation of the large intestine, stomach ulcer, ulcer of the duodenum, diarrhoea.
• Disorders of the central nervous system: headache, confusion, hallucination, haemorrhage within the skull, and low blood counts due to bone marrow failure.
• Musculoskeletal disorders: joint pain, arthritis, vasculitis, muscle pain.
• Diseases of blood and blood vessels: acquired disease of all cells in the blood, acquired haemophilia, haemorrhage, decreased blood platelets, deficiency of granulocytes (a type of red blood cell) and increased eosinophils in the blood, thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, and collection of clotted blood in an organ, space or tissue.

Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP) – TTP is a condition characterised by blood clotting problems. TTP can occur within 2 weeks of taking Plavix 75mg. There is a formation of blood clots in the blood vessels, and it can happen anywhere else in the body, too. TTP is a very serious disease and needs immediate treatment as it can cause death.

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

1. Plavix may not be completely effective for people who:

• Have certain genetic conditions that impact the breakdown of Plavix within the body.

Your doctor may check you for such genetic conditions to make sure that Plavix is right for you.

• Those who take certain medicines like stomach acid reducers, NSAIDS (Non-Steroidal Non-Inflammatory Drugs), anti-depressants, etc.

Your doctor may adjust your treatment plan to ensure that Plavix, when used in combination with other medications, does not cause a drug interaction.

2. Plavix can result in severe bleeding, which can be fatal. Plavix lowers the chances of blood clot formation as it is a blood thinner. While using Plavix, you may bruise and bleed more easily, it will take longer than normal for bleeding to cease, and you are more likely to suffer from nosebleeds.

Call your doctor for help if you notice any of these signs while taking Plavix:

• bloody urine
• red or black stools (like tar)
• unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts longer than usual
• An unexplained occurrence of bruises
• a cough up blood or blood lumps
• Bloody vomit or your vomit looks like coffee grounds

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before I take Plavix?

Before you start your treatment with Plavix, make sure you tell your doctor if you:

• had or have a stomach ulcer
• had or have bleeding problems
• plan to undergo surgery or dental treatment
• Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
• Are you breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed? Although it’s not clear whether Plavix passes into breast milk, you should not take Plavix and breastfeed together without talking to your doctor.
• Have you had an allergy to any of the medicines taken earlier to treat the disease?

If you are planning to undergo surgery or dental work, please inform your surgeon or dentist that you are taking Plavix. They should consult with the doctor who has prescribed Plavix for you before undergoing surgery or any other invasive procedure.

Tell your doctor about all the vitamins, prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs and herbal drugs that you take.

How should I take Clopidogrel Plavix?

• Plavix is a prescription drug. It should only be taken as prescribed and according to the instructions given by a doctor.
• Consult your doctor before changing your dose or stopping the use of Plavix. Stopping of Plavix suddenly may increase your risk of getting a heart attack or stroke.
• Plavix should be taken in combination with aspirin, only when recommended by your doctor.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it’s almost time for your next scheduled dose. Take the next dose on the scheduled time only. Do not take two doses of Plavix at the same time until instructed to do so by your doctor.
• If you take more doses of Plavix by mistake, rush to your doctor for diagnosis.
• If you have to undergo surgery or plan to have one, talk to your doctor about stopping Plavix. Your doctor should ask you to stop Plavix a few days before the surgery so as to prevent too much bleeding during the surgery.

What should I avoid while taking Plavix?

While taking Plavix, it is essential to manage your activities carefully. You should avoid activities that increase your risk of getting a cut, bruise, or any other type of injury. Plavix is a blood thinner, and its action is irreversible. It may cause excessive bleeding and delayed healing.

Take extra care while shaving or brushing your teeth to prevent bleeding.

Avoid drinking alcohol, as alcohol increases your risk of bleeding in the stomach or intestines.

What other drugs will affect Plavix?

Many other medications can increase your risk of bleeding. Talk to your doctor if you take aspirin, especially if you have had a heart attack or stroke. Check with your doctor whether it is beneficial to take aspirin in combination with Clopidogrel. Ask your doctor before taking other 

Inform your doctor about all the other medications that you take to prevent clotting of blood. These may include:

• tirofiban, abciximab, eptifibatide;
• warfarin, heparin, coumadin;
• enoxaparin, tinzaparin, dalteparin;
• ticlopidine, fondaparinux;
• urokinase or abokiinase.

Inform your doctor about all the medications which you have started or stopped taking while taking Clopidogrel, especially:

• Central Nervous System stimulants like modafinil, Armodafinil;
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors like fluoxetine, fluvoxamine;
• gemfibrozil;
• isoniazid;
• cancer medications like letrozole, tositumomab, dasatinib, or ibritumomab;
• stomach acid reducers like omeprazole, esomeprazole, and Cimetidine;
• antifungal medications like voriconazole, ketoconazole, Fluconazole;
• HIV medications like etravirine, tipranavir, delavirdine, efavirenz;
• Seizure medications like Oxcarbazepine (Trileptal) or Felbamate (Felbatol).

Make sure you tell your doctor about all the medications you take, including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs, vitamins, herbal supplements, etc.