Piax Plus Asprin (Clopidogrel Hydrogen Sulfate And Aspirin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Piax Plus Asprin Used For?
Piax Plus Aspirin contains two medicines – clopidogrel and aspirin – that work together to prevent dangerous blood clots from forming in your blood vessels.
Primary Uses
This medication is prescribed to prevent blood clots in hardened blood vessels (atherothrombosis) which can lead to stroke, heart attack, or death. You may have been given this medicine if you’ve had unstable angina (severe chest pain) or a heart attack, to help reduce your risk of future cardiovascular events.
How It Works
Both active ingredients are anti-platelet medicines. Platelets are tiny blood cells that clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping process, the medication reduces your chances of forming blood clots (thrombosis).
Good to know: This medication is only available with a doctor’s prescription and should be used under medical supervision.
How to Take Piax Plus Asprin
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The instructions may differ from general information, so always follow your doctor’s specific directions.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one tablet daily, containing 75 mg clopidogrel and 100 mg aspirin. You may receive a starting dose of 300 mg clopidogrel first, then switch to the daily tablet. Take the tablet during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water. Take it at the same time each day for best results and to help you remember.
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 at the regular time. If you’re unsure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Continue taking this medication for as long as your doctor prescribes it. Do not suddenly stop taking it without telling your doctor.
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:
- Diarrhea
- Itching
- Joint pain or stiffness
- Ringing in the ears
- Changes in taste
- Hunger
- Trembling
- Flushing
- Fast, pounding heartbeat
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Severe skin reaction (DRESS)
- Bloody or black bowel movements
- Bloody diarrhea with stomach pain and fever
- Stomach pain, heartburn
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like vomit
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in urine or eyes
- Unusual heavy bleeding or bruising
- Heavy menstrual bleeding
- Breast enlargement in men
- Numbness or coordination problems
- Severe continuing headache
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Signs of infection (fever, sore throat)
- Rash or hives
- Muscle pain and weakness
- Anemia (tiredness, pale appearance)
- Red or purple spots on skin
- Difficulty breathing, wheezing
- Yellowing of skin or eyes with pale stools and dark urine
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where this medication should not be used, and conditions that require special monitoring.
Who Should Not Take Piax Plus Asprin
Do not take this medication if you are allergic to clopidogrel, aspirin, salicylates, or anti-inflammatory drugs; have bleeding conditions like hemophilia, stomach ulcers, or bleeding in your head or bowel; have severe liver or kidney disease; have asthma, rhinitis, or nasal polyps; are breastfeeding; or if the packaging is damaged or expired.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have bleeding disorders, recent serious injury or surgery, liver or kidney disease, history of stroke, stomach ulcers or digestive problems, inherited diseases causing galactose intolerance, G6PD deficiency, gout, asthma, allergies, or if you’re planning surgery in the next two weeks.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant – your doctor will discuss the risks and benefits. You must not breastfeed while taking this medication as it passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Not for Children: This medication is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Piax Plus Aspirin. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you’re taking, including over-the-counter medications.
Important: Your doctor may need to adjust your medication doses or switch you to different medicines based on interactions.
- Additional aspirin or clopidogrel
- Blood thinners (heparins, warfarin)
- Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs like ibuprofen)
- Nicorandil (for angina)
- Steroids (hydrocortisone)
- Bupropion
- Diazepam
- Gout medications
- Antidepressants
- Antiretrovirals (tenofovir)
- Antibiotics (ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, fluconazole, voriconazole)
- Varicella vaccine
- Methotrexate
- Acetazolamide
- Epilepsy medications (carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, valproic acid)
- Diabetes medications (tolbutamide, chlorpropamide)
- Tamoxifen
- Levothyroxine
- Fluvastatin
- Blood pressure medications (ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, thiazide diuretics)
- Proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole)
- Opioid pain medications
- Rosuvastatin
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special precautions while taking this medication.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption may affect how well this medication works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Ask your doctor for specific guidance about alcohol use.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how this medication affects you. It may cause faintness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react before driving or doing anything that could be dangerous. If you drink alcohol, faintness or dizziness may be worse.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original blister pack until ready to take them. Store in a cool, dry place below 30°C. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, or leave in a hot car. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you or anyone else has taken too much Piax Plus Aspirin, immediately call your doctor, the Poisons Information Centre (Australia: 13 11 26), or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Do this even if there are no symptoms – you may need urgent medical attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
The medication begins working to prevent blood clots shortly after taking it, but you should continue taking it for as long as your doctor prescribes to maintain protection against heart attack and stroke.
Yes, you should take Piax Plus Aspirin during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water to help reduce stomach irritation.
Do not suddenly stop taking this medication without telling your doctor, as this could increase your risk of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke.
Alcohol may affect how well the medication works and can increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Ask your doctor for specific guidance about alcohol consumption.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose.
No, this medication already contains aspirin. Taking additional aspirin is not recommended. Check with your doctor first before taking any other aspirin-containing medications.
Your doctor may order blood tests to monitor how well the medication is working for you, as some patients may not convert the medication to its active form as effectively as others.
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.