Plavix Generic

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. It is similar to ticlopidine Ticlid in chemical structure and in the way it works. 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. The risk of heart attacks and strokes which usually are caused by blood clots is increased in patients with a recent history of stroke or heart attack and patients with peripheral vascular disease. 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. Clopidogrel bisulfate was approved by the FDA in 1997.

Clopidogrel bisulfate usually is taken once daily. It can be taken with or without food.

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 antiplatelet 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

Clopidogrel rarely causes a condition called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura 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 ticlodipine Ticlid causes TTP 17-50 times more frequently than clopidogrel.

The combination of clopidogrel with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory 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.

At high concentrations in the blood clopidogrel inhibits the activity of the enzyme which metabolizes eliminates warfarin Coumadin a blood thinner. This could lead to an increase in levels of warfarin and increase the risk of bleeding due to over-thinning of the blood. To date there have been no reports of an important interaction in humans between warfarin and clopidogrel. Nonetheless because warfarin increases the risk of bleeding blood tests to measure the degree to which the blood is anti-coagulated or thinned prothrombin time INR may be ordered to assess the degree of blood-thinning when warfarin and clopidogrel are used together. The same enzyme also is responsible for the metabolism of phenytoin Dilantin tamoxifen Nolvadex tolbutamide Orinase torsemide Demadex and fluvastatin Lescol. Although important interactions between clopidogrel and these drugs are unlikely interactions should be looked for carefully.

Clopidogrel is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks 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.

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.

Tablets should be stored at room temperature 15-30°C 59-86°F.