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Clopidogrel

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Description

Clopidogrel is an anticlotting medicine (blood thinners). It is one of the primarily prescribed medications that prevent clot formation. Clopidogrel helps in reducing the risk of various heart problems such as angina pectoris (chest discomfort/pain caused due to insufficient oxygen supply to the heart muscle), heart attack (blockage of heart muscles due to the formation of plaques), and stroke (decreased blood flow to your brain), etc. Clopidogrel prevents blood clotting and promotes a smooth flow of blood. Clopidogrel may cause some side effects such as headache, dizziness, tiredness, taste change and stomach discomfort. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. If you feel dizzy or tired, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines. Clopidogrel can be taken with or without food. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Do not stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you. Clopidogrel may possibly interact with other medicines. Inform your doctor about any other health issues you have or if you are undergoing any medical treatment before taking this medicine. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding. Clopidogrel is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age.
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Side effects

Major & minor side effects for Clopidogrel

White patches in the mouth or on the tongue

Redness of skin

Difficulty in breathing

Headache

Change in taste

Diarrhoea

Loss of appetite

Joint pain

Bleeding from nose

Uses of Clopidogrel

What is it prescribed for?

Prevention of heart attack and stroke

Clopidogrel acts as a blood thinner. It prevents blood clot formation and allows blood to circulate freely throughout your body, preventing a heart attack or stroke (decreased blood flow to your brain).

Peripheral arterial disease

Peripheral artery disease is a condition in which the arterial blood vessels that carry blood to limbs, heart and other organs, are blocked. This mainly occurs due to ageing, smoking, other underlying conditions such as diabetes, etc., resulting in severe leg pain, especially while walking. Clopidogrel is used in the treatment of peripheral artery disease and thereby reduces the risk for occurrence of atherosclerosis (formation of clots inside the blood vessels).
Concerns

Commonly asked questions

  • Onset of action

    Clopidogrel can show its effect within 2 hours of oral administration.

  • Duration of effect

    Clopidogrel generally remains active in the body for an average of 12 hours.

  • Safe with alcohol?

    Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

  • Is it habit forming?

    No habit forming tendency has been reported for Clopidogrel.

  • Usage in pregnancy?

    Clopidogrel is usually not advised during pregnancy because it might have significant side effects on your foetus. However, if you are pregnant your doctor may prescribe alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect.

  • Usage while breast-feeding?

    Avoid using Clopidogrel if you are breastfeeding. There is no sufficient information available to know whether this medicine can pass into your breast milk. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.

Allergy

Avoid taking Clopidogrel if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.

Bleeding disorder

Do not use Clopidogrel if you have a bleeding disorder like the peptic ulcer (open sore that occurs on the inner lining of your stomach and the upper region of your small intestine) or intracranial haemorrhage (bleeding within the brain) as it can cause excess bleeding resulting in worsening of the condition.

Severe kidney impairment

Clopidogrel should be used with caution if you have a history of kidney problems. This medicine is excreted through urine. Using this medicine while you have kidney problems will lead to its accumulation. This can cause permanent damage to your kidneys and worsen your condition. Inform your doctor about your kidney problems.

Severe liver impairment

Clopidogrel is broken down in your liver and excreted through urine. If you have problems with your liver function, this medicine can further worsen it. Hence avoid taking Clopidogrel if you have liver problems.

Warnings for special population

Pregnancy

Clopidogrel is usually not advised during pregnancy because it might have significant side effects on your foetus. However, if you are pregnant your doctor may prescribe alternative medicine with the same therapeutic effect.

Breast-feeding

Avoid using Clopidogrel if you are breastfeeding. There is no sufficient information available to know whether this medicine can pass into your breast milk. Your doctor may prescribe a safer alternative with the same therapeutic effect based on your clinical condition.

General warnings

Abrupt discontinuation

Abrupt discontinuation of Clopidogrel may increase the risk of heart problems. If treatment with this medicine is interrupted due to surgery, it should be restarted as soon as possible.

Use in children

Clopidogrel is not recommended for use in children and adolescents below 18 years of age since the safety and efficacy data is not established.

Prolonged bleeding

If you cut or injure yourself, it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop while you are on treatment with Clopidogrel.

Lactose intolerance

Clopidogrel contains lactose (sugar substance). If you have lactose intolerance, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.

Stomach upset

Clopidogrel contains hydrogenated castor oil which may cause an upset stomac or diarrhoea (watery stools three or more times a day).

Missed Dose

Take the missed dose of Clopidogrel as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed one.

Overdose

Never take more than the prescribed dose. Seek emergency medical treatment if you suspect an overdose of Clopidogrel.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.

Interaction with Alcohol

Description

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Instructions

Interaction with alcohol is unknown. It is advisable to consult your doctor before consumption.

Interaction with Medicine

Escitalopram

Fluconazole

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Isoniazid

Disease interactions

Disease

Information not available.

Food interactions

Information not available.

Lab interactions

Information not available.
This is not an exhaustive list of possible drug interactions. You should consult your doctor about all the possible interactions of the drugs you’re taking.
Take Clopidogrel with food or immediately after food to avoid any stomach discomfort. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Take this medicine at around the same time daily to avoid any missed dose. Drink an adequate amount of water. Do not stop taking this medicine before the completion of the course without consulting your doctor. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects like abnormal bleeding.

Miscelleneous

Can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor

To be taken as instructed by doctor

Does not cause sleepiness

How it works

Clopidogrel works by preventing the formation of clots in blood vessels and helps in free blood flow. Thus reduces the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Legal Status

Approved

Approved

Approved

Approved

Classification

Category

Antiplatelet agents

Schedule

Schedule H

Medicines.org.uk. 2021. Clopidogrel 75 mg film-coated tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc). [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].

https://www.medicines.org.uk/emc/medicine/28474>

Drugs, H., 2021. Clopidogrel: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].

https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601040.html>

Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - CLOPIDOGREL- clopidogrel bisulfate tablet, film coated. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].

https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/drugInfo.cfm?setid=0078fb3d-3595-4ae1-a059-1d5e81c879cf>

Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].

https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/020839s042lbl.pdf>

Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Clopidogrel. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 1 July 2021].

https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Clopidogrel>

Npra.gov.my. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 9 July 2021].

https://www.npra.gov.my/images/reg-and-noti/PI/scheduled-poison/CLOPIDOGREL_TABLET.pdf>
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Information on this page was last updated on 7 Oct 2021

Disclaimer

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.