Plavix Helps Treat the Following Conditions:

Peripheral Vascular Disease

Peripheral vascular disease is caused by the narrowing of the blood vessels supplying the limbs and extremities. It can be a sign of atherosclerosis. In some cases, peripheral vascular disease can be easily treated by lifestyle changes like eating a healthy diet, quitting tobacco products, and starting an exercise regime.

Unstable Angina

Unstable angina is a serious condition which should be treated as an emergency. This condition is caused by a reduction of blood flow to the heart as a result of atherosclerosis. Also known as acute coronary syndrome, it manifests in chest pain and can lead to heart attack.

Marketed Internationally as Moventig

In some countries, Plavix is sold under the brand name Moventig.

Plavix Active Ingredient

Generic Plavix Alternative: Clopidogrel Bisulfate

Plavix which contains the active ingredient clopidogrel, an antiplatelet drug. Clopidogrel prevents platelets from sticking together and helps to keep blood flowing smoothly through the body. It also helps to prevent the formation of blood clots.

General Drug Information

What is Plavix and What Is It Used For?

Plavix is prescribed to prevent heart attack and stroke in patients suffering from peripheral vascular disease. It is used in combination with aspirin in patients who suffer from unstable angina, or those who have undergone procedures like cardiac stents. Plavix is often prescribed to patients who have already suffered heart attack or stroke. The medication keeps blood vessels open and helps prevent blood clots.

Usage and Application

Plavix should be taken exactly as prescribed by a doctor. The dosage and length of treatment depend on the patient’s medical condition and response to treatment.

Most patients are prescribed one daily oral dose. Plavix should be taken regularly in order to experience its full benefit. To help patients remember, this medication should be taken at the same time every day.

Those who are prescribed this medication to prevent blood clots after a stent implant or other procedures typically take it with aspirin. This therapy may continue for months and even years. The duration depends on the type of procedure a patient has received. Patients should discuss the risks and benefits of therapy with their physician, especially the risk of stopping early.

Patients should continue using Plavix even if they feel well. Do not stop this medication without first consulting your physician.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice, as this can increase the side effects of this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Seek immediate medical help if there are any signs that this medication is not working. Monitor for symptoms of heart attack or stroke: pain in the chest, jaw, or left arm, shortness of breath, unusual sweating, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, sudden vision changes, and confusion.

Considerations Before Taking Plavix

Before starting treatment, patients must inform their doctor whether they are allergic to clopidogrel or to similar antiplatelet medicines (e.g. prasugrel). If you shop for Plavix online, please note that you may encounter the drug under its generic name: clopidogrel.

It is important to discuss the patient’s medical history, especially liver disease, hemophilia, and bleeding conditions (e.g. stomach ulcers, bleeding in the eye or brain). Patients should mention any serious injuries or recent surgeries.

To lower the chance of cuts, bruises, and injuries, patients need to exercise caution with sharp objects like razors and nail cutters. Avoid contact sports.

This medicine may cause stomach bleeding. Daily use of alcohol may exacerbate the risk. Patients should limit alcoholic beverages and ask their doctor or pharmacist how much alcohol they may safely drink.

Before surgery or dental procedures, patients should inform their doctor or dentist about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter drugs, and herbal products that they take. Some patients may be instructed to stop Plavix for at least five days before surgery. Do not stop this medication without consulting your cardiologist first.

During pregnancy, Plavix should only be used when clearly needed. Women must discuss their use with their doctor.

It is not clear if this medication passes into breast milk. Nursing mothers should consult their doctor before breastfeeding.

Delayed and Omitted Doses

Patients who miss a dose of Plavix should take it as soon as they remember. If this happens near the time for the next dose, patients should skip the missed dose and proceed as usual. Patients should not double up on the dose in order to catch up.

Other Medications and Plavix

Drug interactions may change the way Plavix and its generic alternatives work, increasing the risk of side effects. Before starting treatment, patients need to discuss the full list of medications and supplements they are taking with their doctor. Patients should not change their dose or stop taking this medication unless their physician advises them to do so.

Some medications – such as the HIV medication Aptivus – may interact negatively with Plavix.

A number of medications (e.g. fluvoxamine which is prescribed to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder) can affect the removal of Plavix from the body, affecting how it works.

Additional examples include: proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole and esomeprazole), azole antifungal medications (fluconazole, ketoconazole, and voriconazole), the depression medication fluoxetine, and the ulcer medication cimetidine. The HIV medication Intelence has a similar effect as do drugs that contain anticonvulsant felbamate, and antiplatelet ticlopidine.

Plavix can slow down the removal of certain drugs from the body, which may affect how they work. Examples of affected drugs include Viekira Pak (prescribed to treat hepatitis C) and the diabetes drug Prandin.

Patients who take aspirin should consult their doctor about whether to continue doing so. Those who are not taking aspirin should ask whether they are allowed to take it together with Plavix in the future, if need be.

Patients should check the labels of all prescription and nonprescription medicines carefully. Many products contain pain relievers and fever reducers such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin. These substances may increase the risk of bleeding when used with Plavix. Patients should discuss the safe use of such products with their pharmacist.

This document does not contain a full list of all possible interactions. Please consult with your physician before buying Plavix or any of its generic alternatives.

Adverse Reactions

Patients are usually able to use Plavix safely and without serious negative side effects.

Common side effects include: easy bleeding and bruising, stomach pain, diarrhea, and constipation. Patients should alert their doctor if these effects persist or worsen.

In very rare cases, patients may experience serious bleeding in the stomach, intestines, eyes, or brain.

There is a very small chance of developing thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura, a very serious blood disorder. The condition may develop at any time after starting the medication.

Symptoms can include: severe stomach pain, uncontrolled bleeding from the gums or nose, bloody or black stools, vomit with blood or that looks like coffee grounds, fever, extreme skin paleness, and purple skin patches.

Fainting, fast heartbeat, severe headache, confusion, and weakness are additional symptoms. Patients with this condition also complain of slurred speech, vision changes, seizures, yellowing eyes and/or skin, bloody urine, and changes in the amount of urine production.

Serious allergic reactions to Plavix are rare, yet patients should be aware of allergy symptoms such as rash, itching and swelling, severe dizziness, and trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects.

How to Store Plavix

Plavix should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep away from children and pets.

Unwanted medication should be disposed of properly and should not be poured into drains or flushed down the toilet. Patients should consult a pharmacist or their local waste disposal company to find out more about safe disposal methods.