Plavix

[lilo323]

Sould Plavix and Warfarin be taken together?

[lilo323]

Thanks Kenneth for your comments, My blood is beeing checked monthly, last time was 2.7. Thaanks again.

[kenkeith]

If a patient has drug eluding stent (DES) implant it is recommended that plavix (clopidogrel) be prescribed up to a year to help prevent blood clots with the implant.  

If one has A-fib there is a risk that blood clots can occur as blood may pool due to the very fast beat.

Information regarding the use of the 2 anti-platelet together can present a problem and the source is MedinceNet.com.
" At high concentrations in the blood, clopidogrel (plavix) 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.

You should consult your doctor to insure the degree of blood thinning is within specification with INR.  There is a risk of excessive bleeding, and a question would be does  the proposed benefit out weigh the risk of excessive bleeding.

Just another perspective for a dotor to consider and you should be aware.  Thanks for the question, and if you have any further questions or comments you are welcome to respond.

Take care,

Ken

[lilo323]

Thank you for your answer, I was a little worry on taking the two, feel better now, thanks again.

[CCF HeartMD5]

There are certain situations where both of these medications can be taken at the same time. Each medication has its own specific indications. For example, a patient who has atrial fibrillation and also a recently placed coronary stent, would have good reasons to be on both warfarin and plavix.