Clopidogrel
Molecule Description
Clopidogrel is a platelet inhibitor used to prevent formation of blood clots.
Uses of Clopidogrel
Clopidogrel is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in persons with heart disease (recent heart attack), recent stroke, or blood circulation disease (peripheral vascular disease).It is used to treat chest pain (new heart attack, unstable angina) and to keep blood vessels open and prevent blood clots after certain procedures (such as cardiac stent)....
Contraindications of Clopidogrel
When should one not use Clopidogrel
- Active bleeding such as stomach ulcer or bleeding in the brain.
- Allergic reaction to clopidogrel.
- Liver disease
Side effects of Clopidogrel
Common side effects of this drug are:
- Bleeding (gum bleeds, nose bleeds, black or tarry stool, blood in cough and vomit)
- Bruising
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Stomach pain, heartburn
- Acne-like rash
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Flu-like syndrome
- Running nose
Precautions and Warnings of Clopidogrel
Pregnancy
Q:
Can I take Clopidogrel during pregnancy?
A:
Probably safe in pregnancy however there is limited data to prove the same. There are risk v/s benefit considerations that your doctor will contemplate before prescribing and will prescribe it only if absolutely essential.
Breast Feeding
Q:
Can I take Clopidogrel while breastfeeding?
A:
This medicine is not labeled as ‘safe’ during breastfeeding. There are risk v/s benefit considerations that your doctor will contemplate before prescribing and will prescribe it only if absolutely essential.
Driving
Q:
Can I drive if I have consumed Clopidogrel?
A:
A clopidogrel tablet is unlikely to affect your ability to drive.
Alcohol
Q:
Can I consume alcohol with Clopidogrel?
A:
Drinking too much alcohol is risky as it increases the chances of irritating the stomach. When taken along with the clopidogrel increases the chances of stomach ulcer.
Other General Warnings
Talk to your doctor if
- Are allergic to it; or to similar antiplatelet medicines such as prasugrel
- Have bleeding conditions (such as stomach ulcers, bleeding in the brain/eye),
- Have had recent surgery, serious injury/trauma, liver disease, bleeding disease (such as hemophilia).
Mode of Action of Clopidogrel
How Does It Work?
It acts by inhibiting enzymes of the platelet aggregation pathway, thus preventing platelets from sticking together. This decreases the formation of harmful blood clots and keeps blood flowing smoothly in the blood vessels....
Interactions of Clopidogrel
Interactions with other medicines
- Artemisinin
- Bupropion
- Cyclophosphamide
- Efavirenz
- Ifosfamide
- Ketamine
- Phenophobarbital
- Phenytoin
- Methadone
- Nevirapine
- Propofol
- Selegiline
- Sertraline
Interactions with food items
Unless advised by physician otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Dosage of Clopidogrel
Overdose
If you take an overdose of clopidogrel, the complications may be fatal. Any of the known side effects of clopidogrel, esp. bleeding symptoms can be seen in an overdose.
Missed a Dose
If you missed any dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose of medicine to compensate for a missed one. That can lead to overdose...
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: Q1. What special precautions should I follow?
A: Tell your doctor what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention if you are taking any of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin ; aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as and naproxen and other medicines mentioned above so that the doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
Tell your doctor if you have or have had bleeding ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that are bleeding), brain hemorrhage, or any other condition that causes severe bleeding.
References
View All
- Medicineplus.clopidogrel. [Accessed 2 July.2019] (online)
- Ema.clopidogrel. [Accessed 2 July.2019] (online)
- Lactmed.clopidogrel. [Accessed 2 July.2019] (online) Drugs and Lactation Database (LactMed) [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US); 2006-. Clopidogrel. [Updated 2019 Jun 3]
- Dailymed.clopidogrel. [Accessed 2 July.2019] (online)
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