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| Pronunciation |
|
 (kloh
PID oh
grel) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Plavix® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antiplatelet Agent |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to clopidogrel or any other part of the
medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Active bleeding, a
history of a bleed in the brain (a type of a stroke), or a bleeding
disorder.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
|
|
- This medicine prevents heart attacks and strokes. It is useful in
patients who have had a recent heart attack or stroke.
- It is also used after heart procedures to keep the artery
open.
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|
| How does it work? |
|
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- Clopidogrel prevents stickiness of blood
parts.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
|
- Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an
upset stomach.
- Take at a similar time every
day.
|
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|
| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
|
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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|
| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can cause stomach
irritation.
- If you have had a stomach ulcer or bleeding tell healthcare provider.
- You will bleed easily. Be careful. Avoid injury.
- Tell dentists, surgeons, and other healthcare providers about this
medicine.
- Avoid other aspirin-containing products, such as, ibuprofen or like
products, other blood thinners (warfarin, ticlopidine, clopidogrel), garlic,
ginseng, ginkgo, vitamin E.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
|
|
- Diarrhea.
- Belly pain, heartburn.
- Stomach bleeding or ulceration. Watch stools for dark, tarry black
color. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Rash.
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|
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Follow up with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
|
|
- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Changes in thinking clearly and logically.
- Severe headache.
- Blood in the stool and toilet bowl or vomiting blood.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
|
|
- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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