Duoplidogrel Medication Guide

Duoplidogrel (Clopidogrel And Aspirin)

Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information

Prescription Required

Quick Facts

Generic Name
clopidogrel and aspirin
Drug Class
anti-platelet medicines
Used For
preventing blood clots in hardened blood vessels to reduce risk of stroke, heart attack or death
How Taken
oral tablet, once daily

What Is Duoplidogrel Used For?

Duoplidogrel is a combination medication that helps prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in your blood vessels.

Primary Uses

Duoplidogrel is used to prevent blood clots forming in hardened blood vessels (atherothrombosis) which can lead to stroke, heart attack or death. It may be prescribed if you have suffered unstable angina (severe chest pain) or had a heart attack.

How It Works

Duoplidogrel belongs to anti-platelet medicines. Platelets are very small blood cells that clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, the medication reduces the chances of blood clots forming (thrombosis).

How to Take Duoplidogrel

Take Duoplidogrel exactly as prescribed by your doctor and follow their directions carefully.

Dosage Instructions

The usual dose is one tablet daily. Each tablet contains 75 mg clopidogrel and 100 mg aspirin. You may receive a starting dose of 300 mg clopidogrel, then one Duoplidogrel tablet daily. Take at about the same time each day during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water. Continue taking for as long as your doctor prescribes it.

What If You Miss a Dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when scheduled. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed one.

Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose

Available Tablet Strengths

75mg/100mg
75mg/100mg Tablet Light pink, Oval • C75 on one side, A100 on other

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:

  • Things taste different
  • Hunger
  • Ringing in the ears
  • Fast, pounding heartbeat
  • Diarrhea
  • Itching
  • Flushing
  • Trembling
  • Joint pain or stiffness

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:

  • Anemia (tiredness, pale appearance)
  • Coughing up blood
  • Blood in urine or eyes
  • Heavy bleeding from cuts or wounds
  • Easy bruising or nosebleeds
  • Heavy menstrual bleeding
  • Chest tightness, wheezing, breathing difficulty
  • Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
  • Severe skin reaction (DRESS)
  • Bloody or black bowel movements
  • Diarrhea with blood, mucus, stomach pain and fever
  • Vomiting blood or coffee-ground vomit
  • Severe continuing headache
  • Slurred speech or speaking difficulty
  • Muscle weakness or pain
  • Faintness or dizziness
  • Skin rash, hives, or red/purple spots
  • Yellowing of skin or eyes
  • Confusion or hallucinations
  • Numbness or coordination problems

Important Warnings

There are several important conditions and situations where Duoplidogrel should not be used or requires special caution.

Who Should Not Take Duoplidogrel

Do not use if you are allergic to clopidogrel, aspirin, salicylates, anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) or any ingredients; have bleeding conditions like haemophilia, stomach ulcer or bleeding in head/bowel; have severe liver disease; have asthma, rhinitis or nasal polyps; if packaging is tampered with or expired.

Medical Conditions to Discuss

Tell your doctor if you have: bleeding disorders or blood clotting problems, recent serious injury or surgery, liver or kidney disease, recent stroke history, stomach ulcers or digestive problems, inherited diseases causing galactose intolerance, glucose-galactose malabsorption, Lapp lactase deficiency, G6PD deficiency, gout, asthma or allergies, or if you’re planning surgery in the next two weeks.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Do not use Duoplidogrel in the third trimester of pregnancy. Not recommended during first and second trimesters as it may harm your unborn baby. Do not take if breastfeeding as the medicine passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.

Drug Interactions

Many medications can interfere with Duoplidogrel and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking.

  • Additional aspirin or clopidogrel (already contained in Duoplidogrel)
  • Blood thinners like heparins and warfarin
  • NSAIDs like ibuprofen
  • Nicorandil for angina
  • Steroids like hydrocortisone
  • Bupropion
  • Diazepam
  • Gout medicines
  • Antidepressants
  • Antiretrovirals like tenofovir
  • Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol
  • Antifungals like fluconazole, voriconazole
  • Varicella vaccine
  • Methotrexate
  • Acetazolamide for glaucoma
  • Epilepsy medicines like carbamazepine, phenytoin
  • Diabetes medicines like tolbutamide, repaglinide
  • Cancer medicines like tamoxifen, paclitaxel
  • Levothyroxine for thyroid
  • Fluvastatin for cholesterol
  • Blood pressure medicines (ACE inhibitors, ARBs, thiazide diuretics)
  • Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole
  • Opioid pain medicines
  • Rosuvastatin for cholesterol

Alcohol & Driving

Duoplidogrel can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol.

Alcohol

Alcohol consumption may affect how well Duoplidogrel works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor.

Driving and Operating Machinery

Duoplidogrel may cause faintness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to the medication before driving or operating machinery. If you experience faintness or dizziness, do not drive. Alcohol may worsen these effects.

Storage

Keep tablets in the blister pack until time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Do not store in bathroom, near sink, in car or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.

Overdose Information

If you think you have taken too much Duoplidogrel, 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 well.

Frequently Asked Questions

The medication works by preventing blood clots, but the source doesn’t specify exact timing. Your doctor will monitor your response and may order blood tests to ensure it’s working effectively for you.

Yes, you should take Duoplidogrel during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water.

Do not stop taking Duoplidogrel suddenly without telling your doctor. Your doctor will decide when and how to safely stop the medication.

Alcohol consumption may affect how well Duoplidogrel works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Discuss alcohol use with your doctor for personalized advice.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Never take a double dose.

Duoplidogrel increases bleeding risk during operations or dental work, so treatment may need to be stopped before surgery. Always inform doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists that you’re taking this medication.

Tell your doctor immediately if you are injured while taking Duoplidogrel, as it may take longer than usual to stop bleeding and internal bleeding may occur without obvious signs.

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.