Several times in human body, strokes and heart attacks are caused due to clotting of the blood. And hence, we need to take some major steps to get rid of this life threatening strokes. To treat such conditions, Plavix i.e. Clopidogrel medication is used. It is one of the top best-selling drugs in the world. Clopidogrel bisulfate is an anti-platelet drug that is a drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood clot. Clopidogrel prevents the platelets in the bloodstream from sticking to each other and forming clots, thereby preventing such cardiac problems.

Clopidogrel is similar to Ticlopidine Ticlid in the chemical structure in the working mechanism. Unlike Ticlopidine, Clopidogrel bisulfate does not cause serious reductions of white cells in the blood and therefore routine blood testing to determine if the white blood cell count is low is not necessary during treatment.

Usually, blood clots cause the risk of heart attacks and strokes. Peripheral vascular disease is the same as atherosclerotic arterial disease or hardening of the arteries in which the arteries become narrowed. It frequently occurs in the legs and often causes claudication or pain in the legs upon walking. Clopidogrel bisulfate is used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in these patients.

In 1997, Clopidogrel bisulfate was approved by the FDA.

Clopidogrel bisulfate i.e. Plavix is usually taken once daily with a full glass of water. It can be taken with or without food. Try to follow the dosing schedule as prescribed by your doctor.

The tolerability of Clopidogrel is similar to that of aspirin. Diarrhea rash or itching occurs in approximately 1 in 20 persons taking Clopidogrel. Abdominal pain also occurs in about 1 in 20 persons but it is less frequent than with aspirin.

Ticlopidine Ticlid is an anti-platelet medication quite similar to Clopidogrel. It has been associated with a severe reduction in white blood cell count in between 0.8 and 1 of persons. The risk of this dangerous side effect with Clopidogrel is about 0.04 much less than with Ticlopidine but twice that of aspirin. Some less side effects caused may be dizziness, mild headache, easy bruising, stomach, minor bleeding, constipation or diarrhea.

Clopidogrel rarely causes a condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura i.e. TTP in one out of every 250000 people. TTP is a serious condition in which blood clots form throughout the body. Blood platelets which participate in clotting are consumed and the result can be bleeding because enough platelets are no longer left to allow blood to clot normally. For comparison the related drug Ticlopidine Ticlid causes TTP 17-50 times more frequently than Clopidogrel.

Consult your doctor immediately and get treated accordingly.

As Clopidogrel interacts with many of the drugs, so consult your doctor accordingly and avoid them. The combination of Clopidogrel with nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs NSAIDs such as ibuprofen Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, naproxen Naprosyn, Aleve, diclofenac Voltaren, etodolac Lodine, nabumetone Relafen, fenoprofen Nalfon, flurbiprofen Ansaid, indomethacin Indocin, ketoprofen Orudis, Oruvail, oxaprozin , piroxicam Feldene, sulindac Clinoril, tolmetin Tolectin, and mefenamic acid Ponstel may increase the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding.

In case of overdose call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222.
If the suffering patient has collapsed or is not breathing call local emergency services at 911. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly.

Continue to take Clopidogrel medication, even if you feel well in the coming weeks and do not stop in between without consulting your doctor.
If any of your symptoms or any side effects do not improve or become worse, show them to your doctor immediately. Do not share the medicine with others, even if they are suffering from the same medical conditions.
Avoid using this medicine for other health conditions. Store the medicine in a cool dry place. Keep the medicine out of reach from children, newborns, pregnant women, pets etc.

It is a single dose medicine, so it is easy to remember. But even if you missed the dose, do take the medicine immediately provided that there is ample of time in between the next dose. Never double dose it to cope up with the missed dose. And in case, if you miss the two consecutive doses consult to your doctor or physician for guidance and continue further.

Clopidogrel is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks, refractory ischemia in persons who are at high risk. In one large study, Clopidogrel bisulfate was more effective than aspirin in reducing heart attacks. The frequency of side effects of Clopidogrel bisulfate was similar to aspirin, however stomach and intestinal bleeding probably occurs less often with Clopidogrel bisulfate than with aspirin. It is particularly beneficial to the patients, who have undergone angioplasty and received Stents for re-opening their blocked arteries.

The Plavix medicine can also be used to treat other types of disorders and for this you need to consult your doctor. Clopidogrel is also sometimes used to prevent blood clots in patients with mitral valve disease and patients undergoing certain heart procedures. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition. This medication may be prescribed for other uses ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Clopidogrel tablets are stored at room temperature between 59 – 86 degrees F and 15-30 degrees C. Keep the medicine in a light-resistant tight container and away from heat or direct light.

Check Expiry date without fail. Keep all medicines away from women, newborns, children and pets. Moisture or Heat may cause the break down of the medicine. In any case, do not store the medicine in the bathroom. However, some manufacturers vary in their storage recommendations. Therefore storage conditions for each product should be clarified with your pharmacist.

Following precautions must be taken during consuming generic Plavix:

1. Let your doctor know about your complete medical history, if you have or have ever had any major diseases like heart disease, liver or kidney problems, ulcer, coronary artery disease, a history of stroke, ulcerative colitis, hemophilia, blood clotting, diabetes, any major surgery, bleeding of stomach, any brain injury or any other disease.

2. Tell your doctor that what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking or even any OTC like nutritional supplements, vitamins, minerals, herbal products etc. that you may be intaking.

3. Avoid alcohol and smoking during the course.

4. If you have to undergo any surgery, major operation or any dental procedure, inform your surgeon, dentist or doctor, that you are taking Plavix. Prior to having an elective surgery, when an anti-platelet effect is not desired, Plavix should be discontinued 5 days prior to the surgery.

5. Let your doctor or the physician know about your any kind allergies. They may be any food, medicine, particularly to Plavix or any composition allergy. This information shall help the doctor to give you the best medicine that will suit your body.

6. Do not share the Plavix with others unless they are prescribed by the doctor themselves. If the medicine is no longer in use or is outdated, discard it immediately after checking with your doctor or your pharmacist.

7. Do not discontinue medication on your own. Consult your doctor before doing so.

8. Keep the medication out of reach of children and pets.