Coumadin and Plavix Caused Ulcers in Stomach

[Tami44]

My husband has a pacemaker and 8 metal stents.  He's been taking Coumadin and Plavix for the past 4-5 years since his last stent was put in.  Recently he was rushed to the hospital with blood in his vomit and stools.  They said he had last 60% of his blood and immediately preceeded to give him blood, total 9 pints.  After much reading up on ulcers and his medicine's side-effects, we discovered that Plavix causes ulcers.  He was bleeding from a huge ulcer in his stomach.  They immediately DC'd his Coumadin and Plavix.  Are there any alternatives to these two medicines that you are aware of?  His cardiologist says he needs to stay on both of them for the rest of his life.  Thank you.  Tami

[kenkeith]

Plavix is not recommended for long term anti-platelet therapy.  In fact it is not recommended for bare metal stent...up to about a year with drug eluding stents.  There is a high risk for excessive bleeding, and that risk according what I read with your post was unnecessary.

Most doctors medicate with aspirin only as an anti-platelet drug.  You should see another cardiologist as there is absolutely no evidence to support long term therapy with plavix.