Clopidogrel - Plavix 75 mg Tablets to Prevent Blood Clots

Clopidogrel - Plavix 75 mg Tablets

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medicine used to prevent repeat heart attacks and strokes in people who have already had a stroke, a heart attack, severe chest pain or poor circulation in the legs. It stops platelets from collecting and forming the clots that block arteries. It is supplied here as Plavix 75 mg tablets, 30 tablets per pack, made by Bristol-Myers Squibb and Sanofi. It is often prescribed together with aspirin, which is a separate antiplatelet treatment, and with a statin such as Rosuvastatin for cholesterol.

• One variant: Plavix 75 mg
• 30 tablets per pack
• Antiplatelet that prevents clots, heart attacks and strokes
• A prescription medicine in most countries

How Clopidogrel Works

Clopidogrel blocks a receptor on platelets, so they cannot stick to one another and form a clot. That is why it protects people whose arteries are already narrowed by atherosclerosis. Because clotting is reduced, bleeding takes longer to stop, and the risk of serious bleeding is higher when it is taken with Aspirin, NSAIDs or other medicines that thin the blood.

Dosage & Administration

The usual dose is one 75 mg tablet once a day, with or without food, at about the same time each day. It only protects the heart and blood vessels while it is being taken, so do not stop without talking to your doctor. If you have a stent, stopping too soon can cause a clot to form inside it. Tell your doctor or dentist about clopidogrel before any surgery, including dental work, because the dose may need to be paused. Common effects include tiredness, headache, dizziness, nausea, diarrhoea, stomach pain and nosebleeds; get medical help for black tarry stools, bleeding that will not stop, rash, swelling or difficulty breathing. Omeprazole and esomeprazole can reduce the effect of clopidogrel, so ask before using them. Blood pressure is usually controlled at the same time with a separate medicine such as Telmisartan.

This product may require a prescription in your country. Information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before use.