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Plavix is a medication that helps control or even prevent blood clots. It is classified as a Thienopyridine Class Antiplatelet Agent.  It is also referred to generally as a blood thinner. It is also known as Clopidogrel

It is an essential medication. There are several uses for Plavix, a long list of side effects, and drug interactions.

Please consult your doctor before stopping this medication on your own. You should meet and discuss risks and complications of stopping this medication.

There is no reported risks with pregnancy, but it has not been well studied. It typically starts working within 2 hours of taking and can stay in the system for approximately 5 days.

Method of Action:

This medication inhibits a receptor (P2Y12) on Adenosine Diphosphate [ADP] chemoreceptor. The receptor can be found on Platelet cell membranes.

This medication permanently (irreversibly) inhibits the receptor. This prevents platelets from aggregating. Begins to occur two hours after a single dose. It is typically given as an oral medication.

Common Uses:

1.)  Prevention of some ischemic events or Myocardial Infarction
2.)  STEMI or ST elevated heart attacks
3.)  Prevention of blood clots
4.)  Prevention of clots after intracoronary stents
5.)  Coronary Artery Disease and Coronary Heart Disease
6.)  Peripheral Vascular Disease
7.)  Cerebrovascular Disease  (Stroke)

Dosing:

–  Marketed as Clopidogrel Bisulfate
–  Often seen as 75mg oral tablets
–  Usually taken Once a day.
–  Can be taken with or without food and should be taken the same time each day.

Side Effects

–  Neutropenia  (Low white blood cells)
–  Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura  (TTP)
–  Thrombocytopenia  (Decreased amount of platelets)
–  Excessive bleeding  (Hemorrhage)
–  Stomach upset
–  Stomach or Gastric ulcers
–  Gastritis
–  Diarrhea
–  Rash
–  Increase frequency of cough or shortness of breath
–  Chest discomfor
–  Edema
–  Others

Possible Drug Interactions:

–  Aanistreplase (Eminase)
–  Ardeparin (Normiflo)
–  Dalteparin (Fragmin)
–  Danaparoid (Orgaran)
–  Dipyridamole (Persantine)
–  Enoxaparin (Lovenox)
–  Heparin
–  Fluvastatin (Lescol)
–  Proton pump inhibitors  (PPI)  (except possibly pantoprazole)
–  Phenytoin (Dilantin)
–  Streptokinase (Kabikinase, Streptase)
–  Tamoxifen (Nolvadex)
–  Ticlopidine (Ticlid)
–  Tinzaparin (Innohep); (Activase)
–  Tolbutamide (Orinase)
–  Torsemide (Demadex)
–  Urokinase (Abbokinase)
–  Warfarin (Coumadin)
–  Others

**** – November 2009 –  Two proton pump inhibitors Omeprazole and Esomeprazole were given a caution with use with Plavix