Clopidogrel Winthrop Plus Aspirin (Clopidogrel And Aspirin)
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Clopidogrel Winthrop Plus Aspirin Used For?
Clopidogrel Winthrop Plus Aspirin 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 forming in hardened blood vessels (atherothrombosis) which can lead to stroke, heart attack or death. You may have been prescribed this if you have suffered from unstable angina (severe chest pain) or had a heart attack.
How It Works
The medication contains two active ingredients that work as anti-platelet medicines. Platelets are very small blood cells that clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, the medicine 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.
How to Take Clopidogrel Winthrop Plus Aspirin
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. The timing and consistency of taking your medication is important for it to work effectively.
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, then one tablet daily. Take the tablet during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water. Take it at about the same time each day for best results.
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. Do not take a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Continue taking the medication for as long as your doctor prescribes it.
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
- 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 and stomach pain
- Vomiting blood or coffee-ground vomit
- Severe continuing headache
- Slurred speech or difficulty speaking
- Muscle weakness or pain
- Faintness, dizziness or blurred vision
- Body swelling (edema)
- 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 this medication should not be used or requires special caution.
Who Should Not Take Clopidogrel Winthrop Plus Aspirin
Do not use if you are allergic to clopidogrel, aspirin, salicylates, or anti-inflammatory drugs; have bleeding conditions like haemophilia, stomach ulcer, or bleeding in head or bowel; have severe liver disease; have asthma, rhinitis or nasal polyps; 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 or allergies, or if you’re planning surgery in the next two weeks.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Do not use during the third trimester of pregnancy. Not recommended during first and second trimesters as it may harm your unborn baby. Do not use while breastfeeding as the medication passes into breast milk and may affect the baby.
Surgery Warning: Tell all doctors, dentists and healthcare providers that you’re taking this medication as it increases bleeding risk during operations or dental work.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Clopidogrel Winthrop Plus Aspirin and affect how it works. Always tell your doctor about all medications you’re taking.
- Additional aspirin or clopidogrel (already contained in this medication)
- Blood thinners like heparins and warfarin
- 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
- Antifungals like fluconazole and voriconazole
- Varicella vaccine
- Methotrexate for cancer or arthritis
- Acetazolamide for glaucoma
- Epilepsy medicines like carbamazepine, phenytoin
- Diabetes medicines like tolbutamide, repaglinide
- Breast cancer medicines like tamoxifen, paclitaxel
- Levothyroxine for thyroid
- Fluvastatin and rosuvastatin for cholesterol
- Blood pressure medicines including ACE inhibitors
- Proton pump inhibitors like omeprazole
- Opiate pain relief medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Both alcohol consumption and driving require special consideration while taking this medication.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol consumption may affect how well the medication works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Ask your doctor for specific guidance about alcohol use.
Driving and Operating Machinery
This medication 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. These effects may be worse if you drink alcohol.
Storage
Keep tablets in the original blister pack until time to take them. Store in a cool, dry place where temperature stays below 25°C, away from moisture, heat and sunlight. Do not store in bathroom, near sink, or in car. Keep out of reach of children – a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground is recommended. Take expired or unwanted medicine to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Overdose Information
If you think you have taken too much medication, seek urgent medical attention immediately. Contact the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26), your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department, even if you feel fine. Do this immediately as overdose symptoms may not appear right away.
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 should take this medication during or immediately after a meal with a glass of water. This helps reduce potential stomach irritation.
Do not stop taking this medication suddenly without telling your doctor. You should continue taking it for as long as your doctor prescribes it to maintain protection against blood clots.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol may affect how well the medication works and may increase blood loss and stomach irritation. Your doctor can provide 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 to make up for a missed dose.
This medication increases bleeding risk during operations or dental work. All doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists need to know you’re taking it so they can plan any procedures safely and decide if treatment needs to be stopped beforehand.
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 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.