Clopidogrel Winthrop (Clopidogrel)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Clopidogrel Winthrop Used For?
Clopidogrel Winthrop is an anti-platelet medicine that helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in your blood vessels.
Primary Uses
Clopidogrel Winthrop is prescribed to prevent blood clots in hardened blood vessels (atherothrombosis) which can lead to stroke, heart attack, or death. You may be prescribed this medication if you have previously had a heart attack or stroke, have peripheral arterial disease (leg pain when walking or at rest), or have suffered Acute Coronary Syndrome (severe chest pain or heart attack). In some cases, it may be prescribed along with aspirin.
How It Works
Platelets are tiny blood cells that clump together during blood clotting. Clopidogrel Winthrop works by preventing this clumping, which reduces the chances of blood clots forming in your blood vessels.
Good to know: Some patients may not convert Clopidogrel Winthrop to its active form as well as others. Your doctor may order tests to determine if the medication is working adequately for you and may adjust your treatment accordingly.
How to Take Clopidogrel Winthrop
Take Clopidogrel Winthrop exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow their directions carefully.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one 75mg tablet daily. If you’re being treated for Acute Coronary Syndrome, you may receive a starting dose of 300mg (four 75mg tablets), then one 75mg tablet daily. You can take the tablet before or after meals with a glass of water. Take it at the same time each day for the best effect and to help you remember. Continue taking it for as long as your doctor prescribes it.
What If You Miss a Dose?
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one. If you’re unsure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Taking your tablet at the same time each day will help you remember and provide the best effect.
Available Tablet Strengths
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Different taste in mouth
- Increased hunger
- Fast, pounding heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Itching
- Flushing
- Trembling
- Joint pain or stiffness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Anemia (tiredness and pale appearance)
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in urine or eyes
- Unusual heavy bleeding from cuts
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Bloody or black bowel movements
- Diarrhea with blood and stomach pain
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like vomit
- Chest tightness, wheezing, breathing difficulty
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
- Severe continuing headache
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Numbness or coordination problems
- Muscle weakness or pain
- Fever or signs of infection
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
- Rash, hives, or skin changes
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Clopidogrel Winthrop.
Who Should Not Take Clopidogrel Winthrop
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to clopidogrel or any ingredients in the tablets, have a medical condition causing bleeding (such as stomach ulcer or bleeding in the head), suffer from severe liver disease, or if the packaging shows signs of tampering or has passed its expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have bleeding disorders or blood clotting problems, liver or kidney problems, any illness caused by bleeding (like impaired vision from eye bleeding), recent serious injury or surgery (including dental surgery), allergies to other antiplatelet medicines, rare hereditary problems with galactose intolerance, or if you’re planning surgery in the next two weeks.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Clopidogrel Winthrop during pregnancy unless your doctor determines there is a clear need. Do not use if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed, as the medication passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.
Bleeding Risk: This medication increases bleeding risk. Tell all healthcare providers you’re taking it before any surgery or dental work. It may take longer than usual to stop bleeding if you’re injured.
Drug Interactions
Several medications can interfere with Clopidogrel Winthrop and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.
Important: Your doctor may need to adjust your medication doses or prescribe different medicines based on what you’re taking. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re unsure about any interactions.
- Blood thinning medicines (aspirin, heparins, warfarin)
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for arthritis and pain
- Medicines for stomach ulcers or reflux disease
- Some infection treatments (ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, fluconazole, voriconazole)
- Some antidepressant medicines
- Epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin)
- Diabetes medicines (tolbutamide, repaglinide)
- Breast cancer medicines (tamoxifen, paclitaxel)
- Fluvastatin for cholesterol
- Proton pump inhibitors for gastric reflux (omeprazole)
- Certain opiate pain relief medicines
- Rosuvastatin for cholesterol
Alcohol & Driving
Clopidogrel Winthrop may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery safely.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, faintness or dizziness may be worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Clopidogrel Winthrop may cause faintness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to this medication before driving a car, operating machinery, or doing anything that could be dangerous if you feel faint or dizzy. If this occurs, do not drive.
Storage
Keep tablets in the blister pack until it’s time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much Clopidogrel Winthrop, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication works by preventing platelets from clumping together to form blood clots. You should take it for as long as your doctor continues to prescribe it for ongoing protection against blood clots.
Yes, you can take Clopidogrel Winthrop before or after meals. Swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without telling your doctor. Your doctor will decide when and how to safely stop your treatment.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may worsen faintness or dizziness that can occur with this medication.
If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.
Clopidogrel Winthrop increases bleeding risk during operations or dental work. Healthcare providers need to know so they can decide whether to stop the medication before procedures and plan accordingly.
Tell your doctor immediately if you are injured. It may take longer than usual to stop bleeding while taking this medication, and sometimes bleeding may occur inside your body without you knowing.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.