Plavix (Clopidogrel)

General information. Plavix (clopidogrel) is a brand name of generic Clopidogrel, the drug that has unique properties on preventing unwanted blood clots in organism and does not let the blood to coagulate. This medicine is recommended to patients, who earlier had a heart attack or stroke, and to those who is suffering from heart or blood vessels disorders. Each tablet pill includes in its composition next components; hydrogenated castor oil, hydroxypropylcellulose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose and inactive component is polyethylene glycol 6000. In drug’s pink colored film cover are also included such components as; ferric oxide, hypromellose 2910, lactose monohydrate, titanium dioxide, triacetin. Plavix (clopidogrel) can also be successfully used for some other treatments that are mentioned in this preview.

Dosage. For safe and effective results in treating with Plavix (clopidogrel) medication, the dosage for each patient should be individually clarified by doctor! To effectively treat an Acute Coronary Syndrome,current drug can be taken with food or without it. If the patients has a non-ST-elevation ACS (UA/NSTEMI), start the treatment with a 300 mg of Plavix (clopidogrel) only for the first applying and continue it with 75 mg once a day. Also apply the aspirin from 75 to 325 mg once a day and continue the treatment by taking both drugs in combination. For treatment of STEMI, the Plavix (clopidogrel) is recommended to apply in dose of 75 mg once a day orally, in addition with aspirin in dose from 75mg to 325 mg per day, with or without thrombolytics. To effectively treat Recent MI, Recent Stroke, or Established Peripheral Arterial Disease, a Plavix (clopidogrel) applying is recommended in 75mg dose per day. It may be applied with food and so is without it.

Precautions. Before applying Plavix (clopidogrel) the patient must discus with doctor about its properties! The drug is able to make bleed much easier, even if the patient gets insignificant injury. If the patient is applying this medicine and going to have a surgery, the treatment has to be stopped at least five days before surgery! In case if patient is injured and the bleeding does not stop, the medical attention is going to be necessary! There is also can be bleeding problems inside the body that are invisible, but the patient may observe such signs as; black or bloody stools, expectorating blood during coughing, vomiting dark coffee color substance. All these signs are pointing on digestive tract bleeding. Plavix (clopidogrel) is strictly prohibited to apply by patients with any active bleeding wound, a stomach ulcer, brain hemorrhage even if it is gained by a head injury. Allergic to clopidogrel people should not apply it also! Patients that have following health problems needs to consult with doctor if the treatment with Plavix (clopidogrel) drug is safe for them. Such health problems are; the disorder of bleeding and blood clotting, for example TTP (thrombocytopenic purpura) or hemophilia; a stroke in the recent past, including TIA (“mini-stroke”); a stomach ulcer and ulcerative colitis; or kidney disease. Breast feeding patients must to stop breast feeding if taking Plavix (clopidogrel), because the drug is able to pass into the breast milk and harm the child! Get detailed schedule from health care specialist on correct treatment with current drug and apply it exactly as prescribed. Never take this medicine in larger or smaller dose, and do not prolong the recommended treatment time to avoidoverdose. Take this medication with a full glass of water.

Side effects. During treatment with Plavix (clopidogrel) medication the patient may to face some unwanted side effects. At clinical trials the drug has demonstrated some more common, less common and rare common side effects. Here we are going to list most of them. If the patient observes any of listed below side effects during treatment the medical help will be necessary! More common side effects are; a pain in chest, a blood accumulation under the skin, the dark and deep purple bruise, itching, pain, redness, swelling, pinpoint size spots or large bruises of red or purple color on the skin. And here is a few of less common side effects; nose bleeding, difficult and painful urination, short breath taking, blood or similar to coffee grounds vomiting. There rare also unwanted effects that may be caused by Plavix (clopidogrel); black and tarry stools, a skin troubles such as; blistering, flaking and peeling, bloody urination or defecation, becoming in confusion, fever, chills, soreness in the throat, headache, nausea and vomiting, stomach pain (severe), ulcers, sores, or white spots inside the mouth, unusual bleeding or bruising, weakness. Many of caused by Plavix’s (clopidogrel) medication side effects may not need any medical attention. Such side effects usually disappear as soon as patient’s body gets adjusted to this medicine. Also, patient’s health care professional can explain how to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. But if any of side effects continue to bother and does not disappear, the doctor’s consultation will be needed. Plavix’s (clopidogrel) was tested for its safety on over 17,500 patients, and 9000 of them has been treated with this medication for 1 year and longer. Generally the drug has shown itself as an aspirin, regardless of age, gender and race. Approximately about 13% of patients had to stop the treatment because of adverse reactions. Less than 2.5% of treated patients observed such unwanted effects as; chest pain, influenza-like syndrome, general body pain, or fatigue.

Missed dose. Patients that are applying Plavix’s (clopidogrel) should take it carefully and right in scheduled by doctor time! But if the dose has been missed, it has to be applied as soon as remembered. Except if it is a time to take next dose. In this case the missed dose must be skipped! Do not take the missed dose over scheduled dose to avoid the overdose. If patient did overdose, emergency medical help will be necessary.

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