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Uses For clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is used to lessen the chance of heart attack or stroke. It is given to people who have already had a heart attack or stroke or to people with other blood circulation problems that could lead to a stroke or heart attack.

A heart attack or stroke may occur when a blood vessel in the heart or brain is blocked by a blood clot. Clopidogrel reduces the chance that a harmful blood clot will form by preventing certain cells in the blood from clumping together. This effect of clopidogrel may also increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people.

clopidogrel is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using clopidogrel

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For clopidogrel, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to clopidogrel or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

There is no specific information comparing use of clopidogrel in children with use in other age groups.

Geriatric

Although blood levels of clopidogrel may be higher in elderly patients than in younger adults, it is not expected to cause different side effects or problems in older people than it does in other adults.

Pregnancy

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Using clopidogrel with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Abciximab
• Acenocoumarol
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Anisindione
• Anistreplase
• Ardeparin
• Argatroban
• Bivalirudin
• Certoparin
• Cilostazol
• Cimetidine
• Citalopram
• Clopidogrel
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Defibrotide
• Dermatan Sulfate
• Desirudin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexlansoprazole
• Dicumarol
• Duloxetine
• Enoxaparin
• Eptifibatide
• Escitalopram
• Esomeprazole
• Etravirine
• Felbamate
• Fluconazole
• Fluoxetine
• Fluvoxamine
• Fondaparinux
• Heparin
• Ketoconazole
• Lamifiban
• Lansoprazole
• Milnacipran
• Nadroparin
• Nefazodone
• Omeprazole
• Pantoprazole
• Parnaparin
• Paroxetine
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Rabeprazole
• Reteplase, Recombinant
• Reviparin
• Sertraline
• Sibrafiban
• Streptokinase
• Tenecteplase
• Ticlopidine
• Tinzaparin
• Tirofiban
• Urokinase
• Venlafaxine
• Voriconazole
• Warfarin
• Xemilofiban

Using clopidogrel with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Alclofenac
• Amiodarone
• Amlodipine
• Benoxaprofen
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Carprofen
• Clometacin
• Clonixin
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Diltiazem
• Dipyrone
• Droxicam
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Felbinac
• Fenbufen
• Fenoprofen
• Fentiazac
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Ginkgo
• Ibuprofen
• Indomethacin
• Indoprofen
• Isoxicam
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Lornoxicam
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nifedipine
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nisoldipine
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Phenylbutazone
• Phenytoin
• Pirazolac
• Piroxicam
• Pirprofen
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Sulindac
• Suprofen
• Tenidap
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Vitamin A
• Zomepirac

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of clopidogrel. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Bleeding problems or
• Liver disease (severe) or
• Stomach ulcers—The chance of serious bleeding may be increased.

Proper Use of clopidogrel

Take clopidogrel only as directed by your doctor. Clopidogrel will not work properly if you take less of it than directed. Taking more clopidogrel than directed may increase the chance of serious side effects without increasing the helpful effects.

Dosing

The dose of clopidogrel will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of clopidogrel. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • For prevention of heart attacks or strokes:
    • Adults—1 tablet (75 milligrams [mg]) once a day.
    • Children—It is not likely that clopidogrel would be used to help prevent heart attacks or strokes in children. If a child needs clopidogrel, however, the dose would have to be determined by the doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of clopidogrel, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using clopidogrel

Tell all medical doctors, dentists, nurses, and pharmacists you go to that you are taking clopidogrel. Clopidogrel may increase the risk of serious bleeding during an operation or some kinds of dental work. Therefore, treatment may have to be stopped about 7 days before the operation or dental work is done.

Check with your doctor immediately if you notice bruising or bleeding, especially bleeding that is hard to stop. Bleeding inside the body sometimes appears as bloody or black, tarry stools, or faintness.

Clopidogrel Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

• Red or purple spots on skin, varying in size from pinpoint to large bruises

• Nosebleed
• vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds

• Black, tarry stools
• blistering, flaking, or peeling of skin
• blood in urine or stools
• fever, chills, or sore throat
• headache (sudden, severe)
• stomach pain (severe)
• ulcers, sores, or white spots in mouth
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• weakness (sudden)

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• Chest pain
• cough
• generalized pain
• runny nose
• sneezing

• Fainting
• frequent urination
• irregular heartbeat
• joint pain
• painful or difficult urination
• shortness of breath
• swelling of feet or lower legs

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

• Abdominal or stomach pain (mild)
• aching muscles
• back pain
• dizziness
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• headache
• heartburn

• Anxiety
• constipation
• diarrhea
• itching
• leg cramps
• mental depression
• numbness or tingling
• nausea
• skin rash
• trouble in sleeping
• unusual tiredness
• vomiting
• weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.