PLAVIX - Clopidogrel Hydrogen Sulphate

Plavix Used For

Plavix is indicated for the reduction of thrombotic events including recent MI, recent stroke or established Peripheral Arterial Disease. Plavix reduces the rate of a combined endpoint of new ischemic stroke (fatal or not), new MI (fatal or not), and other vascular death. Plavix is also prescribed for patients with acute coronary syndrome (unstable angina/non-Q-wave MI) including patients who are to be managed medically and those who are to be managed with percutaneous coronary intervention (with or without stent) or CABG.

Directions for Plavix

The recommended daily dose of PLAVIX is 75 mg once daily. For patients with acute coronary syndrome, Plavix should be initiated with a single 300 mg loading dose and then continued at 75 mg once daily. Plavix may be administered with or without food.

How Plavix medication works

Plavix inhibits platelet aggregation and so prolongs the time blood takes to clot. Caution is therefore advisable for usage of Plavix in patients who may be bleeding due to trauma, surgery or other pathological conditions (especially gastrointestinal and intraocular). If a patient is to undergo elective surgery and an antiplatelet effect is not desired, Plavix should be discontinued 5 days prior to surgery.

Plavix medicine side effects

Like all other medicines, Plavix has its own side effects which include red or purple spots on skin varying in size from pinpoint to large bruises, nosebleed, vomiting of blood or material that looks like coffee grounds; black, tarry stools, blistering, flaking, or peeling of skin, blood in urine or stools, fever, chills, or sore throat, headache (sudden, severe), stomach pain (severe), ulcers, sores, or white spots in mouth; unusual bleeding or bruising, sudden weakness, chest pain, cough, generalized pain, runny nose & extreme bouts of sneezing. Mention of a side effect above does not mean it or any of the above will appear in any patient.

Other Plavix Information

Based on biological plausibility, platelet transfusion may be appropriate to reverse the pharmacological effects of Plavix if quick reversal is required. This medicine can not be split and should be taken in its existing form only.