What is clopidogrel?
Clopidogrel keeps the platelets in your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted
blood clots that can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions.
Clopidogrel is used to prevent blood clots after a recent heart attack or stroke, and in people
with certain disorders of the heart or blood vessels.
Clopidogrel may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clopidogrel?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to clopidogrel, or if you have any active
bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain (such as from a head injury).
Before taking clopidogrel, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
a bleeding or blood clotting disorder, such as hemophilia;
-
a history of stroke, including TIA ("mini-stroke");
-
a stomach ulcer or ulcerative colitis;
-
liver disease; or
-
kidney disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or
special tests to safely take this medication.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether clopidogrel passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take clopidogrel?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Clopidogrel can be taken with or without food.
Because clopidogrel keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood
clots, it can also make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek
emergency medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
If you need to have any type of surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time
that you are using clopidogrel. You may need to stop using the medicine for at least 5 days before
having surgery, to prevent excessive bleeding.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Store clopidogrel at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of clopidogrel?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the
missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take
extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about clopidogrel?
Your pharmacist has information about clopidogrel written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of clopidogrel?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using clopidogrel and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
nosebleed or other bleeding that will not stop;
-
black, bloody, or tarry stools;
-
coughing up blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds;
-
chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or
shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
-
sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the
body;
-
sudden headache, confusion, problems with vision, speech,
or balance; or
-
pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, weakness, fever, and
urinating more or less than usual.
Less serious side effects may include:
-
stomach pain;
-
runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat; or
-
mild headache or dizziness.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about clopidogrel?
Clopidogrel keeps your blood from coagulating (clotting) to prevent unwanted blood clots that
can occur with certain heart or blood vessel conditions. Because of this drug action, clopidogrel can
make it easier for you to bleed, even from a minor injury. Contact your doctor or seek emergency
medical attention if you have bleeding that will not stop.
You may also have bleeding on the inside of your body, such as in your stomach or
intestines. Call your doctor at once if you have black or bloody stools, or if you cough up blood or
vomit that looks like coffee grounds. These could be signs of bleeding in your digestive tract.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking clopidogrel. Alcohol may increase your risk of bleeding
in your stomach or intestines.
If you need to have any type of surgery or dental work, tell the surgeon or dentist ahead of time
that you are using clopidogrel. You may need to stop using the medicine for at least 5 days before
having surgery, to prevent excessive bleeding.
While you are taking clopidogrel, do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) without your doctor's advice. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil),
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine),
flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic
acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
What should I avoid while taking clopidogrel?
While you are taking clopidogrel, do not take aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) without your doctor's advice. NSAIDs include ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil),
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Voltaren), diflunisal (Dolobid), etodolac (Lodine),
flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), ketorolac (Toradol), mefenamic
acid (Ponstel), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), piroxicam (Feldene), and others.
Avoid sports or activities that could result in a bruising or bleeding injury. Use extra caution to
avoid cuts when brushing your teeth or shaving.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking clopidogrel. Alcohol may increase your risk of bleeding
in your stomach or intestines.
What other drugs will affect clopidogrel?
Before taking clopidogrel, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
phenytoin (Dilantin);
-
tamoxifen (Nolvadex);
-
tolbutamide (Orinase);
-
torsemide (Demadex);
-
fluvastatin (Lescol);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin,
dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), or tinzaparin (Innohep);
-
other medication used to prevent blood clots, such as
alteplase (Activase), dipyridamole (Persantine), ticlopidine (Ticlid), and urokinase
(Abbokinase); or
-
certain stomach acid reducers, such esomeprazole
(Nexium), dexlansoprazole (Kapidex), lansoprazole (Prevacid), omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec
OTC, Zegerid), pantoprazole (Protonix), or rabeprazole (AcipHex).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
clopidogrel. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.
This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start
using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of clopidogrel?