APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 (Clopidogrel And Aspirin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Quick Facts
What Is APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 Used For?
APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 is a combination medication that helps 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 prescribed this 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
This medication belongs to a group called anti-platelet medicines. Platelets are tiny blood cells that clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, the medication reduces the chances of blood clots forming in your blood vessels.
Good to know: This medication is only available with a doctor's prescription and should be used under medical supervision.
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How to Take APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Following the instructions carefully will help ensure the best results.
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 continue with one APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 tablet daily. Take your tablet at about the same time each day during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water. Continue taking it 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. However, 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 to make up for a missed one.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. If you're unsure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
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
- Hunger
- Ringing in ears
- 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
- Unusually heavy bleeding from cuts or wounds
- Easy bleeding or bruising
- Heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
- Chest tightness, wheezing, or difficulty breathing
- Swelling of face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat causing difficulty swallowing or breathing
- Severe skin reaction (DRESS) with flu-like symptoms, rash, fever, enlarged lymph nodes
- Bloody or black bowel movements
- Diarrhea with blood, mucus, stomach pain and fever
- Abdominal or stomach pain
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground-like vomit
- Nausea or vomiting
- Pale stools and dark urine with vomiting and stomach pain
- Weight loss
- Severe continuing headache
- Loss of appetite and fatigue
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Heartburn
- Breast enlargement in men
- Fever or signs of infection
- Muscle weakness or pain
- Faintness, dizziness, or light-headedness
- Blurred vision
- Fluid buildup causing swelling
- Rash or hives
- Red or purple spots visible through skin
- Inflamed, cracking, or red skin
- Yellowing of skin or whites of eyes
- Chills, sweating, or clammy skin
- Confusion or hallucinations
- Numbness or coordination problems
Important Warnings
There are several important situations where this medication should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100
Do not use this medication if you: are allergic to clopidogrel, aspirin, salicylates, or anti-inflammatory drugs; have a medical condition causing bleeding such as hemophilia, stomach ulcer, or bleeding in your head or bowel; suffer from severe liver disease; have asthma, rhinitis, or nasal polyps; or if the packaging shows signs of tampering or is past its expiry date.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: bleeding disorders or blood clotting problems; any illness caused by bleeding; recent serious injury or surgery; liver or kidney disease; history of stroke; stomach ulcers or digestive problems; inherited diseases causing galactose intolerance; glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency; gout; asthma or allergies; or if you're planning surgery in the next two weeks.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 during the third trimester of pregnancy. It's recommended not to take this medicine during the first and second trimesters as it may harm your unborn baby. Do not take this medication if you are breastfeeding, as it passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Surgery Warning: Tell all doctors, dentists, and healthcare providers that you're taking this medication as it may increase bleeding risk during operations or dental work.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medicines you're taking.
- Additional aspirin or clopidogrel (this medication already contains both)
- Blood thinners like heparins and warfarin
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen
- Nicorandil (for angina)
- Steroids like hydrocortisone
- Bupropion and diazepam
- Gout medicines
- Antidepressant medicines
- Antiretrovirals like tenofovir
- Antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, chloramphenicol, fluconazole, and voriconazole
- Varicella vaccine
- Methotrexate (for cancer or arthritis)
- Acetazolamide (for glaucoma)
- Epilepsy medicines like carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, phenytoin, and valproic acid
- Diabetes medicines like tolbutamide, repaglinide, and chlorpropamide
- Breast cancer medicines like tamoxifen and paclitaxel
- Levothyroxine (for thyroid)
- Fluvastatin (for cholesterol)
- Blood pressure medicines including ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor antagonists, and thiazide diuretics
- Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole
- Opiate pain relief medicines
- Rosuvastatin (for cholesterol)
Alcohol & Driving
This medication can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact with alcohol.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol consumption may affect how well APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Alcohol may also worsen faintness or dizziness caused by this medication.
Driving and Operating Machinery
APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 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 these symptoms occur, do not drive.
Storage
Keep your 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, or sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom, near a sink, or in the car. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least one and a half meters above the ground is recommended.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100, 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, even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Frequently Asked Questions
This medication works by preventing blood clots from forming. You should take it for as long as your doctor continues to prescribe it, as it provides ongoing protection against cardiovascular events.
Yes, you should take APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water.
Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without telling your doctor. Follow your doctor's instructions and continue taking it for as long as prescribed.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may affect how well the medication works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. It may also worsen faintness or dizziness.
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. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 may increase the risk of bleeding during operations or dental work. Your doctor will decide whether to stop the medication before surgery and if so, how long before the procedure.
Yes, some patients may not convert APX-Clopidogrel/Aspirin 75/100 to its active form as well as others. Your doctor may advise tests to determine if the medication will work adequately for you and may adjust your dose or consider alternative treatments based on the results.
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.