Plavix (Clopidogrel)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Plavix Used For?
Plavix contains clopidogrel and belongs to a group of medicines called anti-platelet medicines. It works by preventing blood platelets from clumping together, which reduces the chances of blood clots forming.
Primary Uses
Plavix is used to prevent blood clots forming in hardened blood vessels (atherothrombosis) which can lead to stroke, heart attack or death. You may be prescribed Plavix if you have previously suffered a heart attack, stroke, or have peripheral arterial disease (leg pain on walking or at rest), or if you have suffered Acute Coronary Syndrome (severe chest pain called unstable angina, or a heart attack).
How It Works
Platelets are very small blood cells which clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, anti-platelet medicines like Plavix reduce the chances of blood clots forming (a process called thrombosis).
Good to know: Some patients may not convert Plavix to its active form as well as others. Your doctor may advise tests to determine if Plavix will work adequately for you and may adjust your dose or consider alternative treatments based on the results.
How to Take Plavix
Take Plavix exactly as prescribed by your doctor. You can take it before or after meals and should swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
Dosage Instructions
The usual dose is one 75mg tablet daily. If you are prescribed Plavix for Acute Coronary Syndrome, you may receive a starting dose of 300mg (either one 300mg tablet or four 75mg tablets), then one 75mg tablet daily. Take Plavix for as long as your doctor continues to prescribe it.
What If You Miss a Dose?
Take Plavix regularly at the same time each day for best effect. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Important: Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.
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:
- Things taste different
- Hunger
- Fast, pounding heartbeat
- Diarrhea
- Itching
- Flushing
- Trembling
- Joint pain or stiffness
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Anemia (being tired and looking pale)
- Coughing up blood
- Blood in urine or eyes
- Unusually heavy bleeding or oozing from cuts
- Bleeding or bruising more easily than normal
- Heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
- Bloody or black bowel motions
- Diarrhea with blood, mucus, stomach pain and fever
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like vomit
- Chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat
- Weight loss, muscle weakness or pain
- Fever or signs of infection
- Severe continuing headache
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Numbness or coordination problems
- Yellowing of skin or eyes
Important Warnings
There are several important warnings and precautions to be aware of before taking Plavix.
Who Should Not Take Plavix
Do not use Plavix if you are allergic to clopidogrel or any ingredients, have a medical condition causing bleeding such as stomach ulcer or bleeding within your head, suffer from severe liver disease, or if the packaging shows signs of tampering or has passed its expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Check with 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, allergies to other antiplatelet medicines, rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, or are planning surgery in the next two weeks.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use Plavix during pregnancy unless your doctor determines there is a clear need. Do not use Plavix if you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed, as Plavix passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.
Bleeding Risk: Plavix increases bleeding risk during operations or dental work. Always remind healthcare providers you are taking Plavix, and tell your doctor immediately if you are injured as it may take longer than usual to stop bleeding.
Drug Interactions
Some medicines may interfere with Plavix and affect how it works. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Important: Your doctor may need to change the amount of your medicines or you may need to take different medicines. Check with your doctor if you are 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 opioid pain relief medicines
- Rosuvastatin for cholesterol
Alcohol & Driving
Plavix may affect your ability to drive or operate machinery, and alcohol can worsen these effects.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, faintness or dizziness may be worse.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Plavix may cause faintness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Plavix before you drive a car or operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are faint or dizzy. If this occurs, do not drive.
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. Store in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C away from moisture, heat or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, in the car or on window sills. Keep where young children cannot reach it – a locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is ideal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have used too much Plavix, you may need urgent medical attention. Immediately phone the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), contact your doctor, or go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source does not specify how long Plavix takes to work. Your doctor will prescribe Plavix for as long as needed to prevent blood clots. Some patients may receive a higher starting dose for Acute Coronary Syndrome.
Yes, you can take Plavix before or after meals. You should swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
Do not stop using Plavix suddenly without telling your doctor. You should take Plavix for as long as your doctor continues to prescribe it.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. If you drink alcohol, faintness or dizziness caused by Plavix may be worse.
If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose when you are meant to. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose. Take Plavix regularly at the same time each day for best effect.
Plavix may increase the risk of bleeding during operations or dental work. Always remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are using Plavix. Your doctor will decide whether to stop Plavix before surgery and if so, how long before the procedure.
Tell your doctor immediately if you are injured while taking Plavix. It may take longer than usual to stop bleeding while you are taking this medicine. Sometimes bleeding may occur inside your body without you knowing about it.
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.