How long should I stay on clopidogrel?

Clopidogrel and low-dose aspirin

The key question for your doctor is whether the benefits outweigh the extra risk. This combination treatment is prescribed for a limited period of time, usually up to a maximum of 12 months.

Do you have to take clopidogrel for life?

Treatment with clopidogrel is usually for life, unless there are any reported problems. In the UK, medicines must have a licence, also called a Marketing Authorisation (MA), before they are approved for treating patients.

Can you take clopidogrel long-term?

Clopidogrel oral tablet is used for long-term treatment. It comes with serious risks if you don't take it as prescribed. If you stop taking the drug or don't take it at all: You increase your risk of heart attack or stroke. These conditions can be fatal.

When should I stop taking clopidogrel?

Because of the risk of bleeding, you may need to stop taking clopidogrel for a short time before having surgery or dental work. Do not stop taking clopidogrel without first talking to your doctor or dentist.

How long is clopidogrel good for?

The optimal duration of dual antiplatelet therapy is not known; 12 months has been the commonly recommended duration. A recent large trial changed recommendations. Rates of stent thrombosis and death from stroke or heart attack were lower when the two meds were continued for 18 more months.

Dual antiplatelet therapy: How long is long enough?

What does clopidogrel do to your body?

Clopidogrel is a platelet inhibitor. It reduces the chance that a harmful blood clot will form by preventing platelets from clumping together in the blood. Clopidogrel may also increase the chance of serious bleeding in some people. This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Is it OK to take clopidogrel every other day?

Conclusions: Long term dual anti-platelet therapy with aspirin 81 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg every other day beyond 12 months after PCI with DES may be a safe and efficacious cost-saving strategy to prevent VLST.

Can clopidogrel be stopped abruptly?

Do not stop taking clopidogrel without first talking to your health care professional. Suddenly stopping the use of antiplatelet medicines can put you at risk for heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots. Be aware that while taking clopidogrel you may bruise more easily, and it may take longer for any bleeding to stop.

Can clopidogrel be stopped suddenly?

You do not need to wean the drug, and can stop it abruptly.

What are the most common side effects of clopidogrel?

Does clopidogrel affect the kidneys?

Conclusions. In summary, among patients hospitalized with ACS and treated with clopidogrel, lower levels of kidney function were associated with a greater risk of death, hospitalization for AMI, and major bleeding.

Can clopidogrel make you tired?

Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: excessive tiredness. headache.

Can you drink alcohol with clopidogrel?

️ Yes (within the recommended limits). Alcohol doesn't affect clopidogrel itself, but just be aware that drinking alcohol can irritate your stomach lining. This could increase the risk of getting a bleeding in the stomach.

Is clopidogrel lifelong after stroke?

Currently, the uses of aspirin, clopidogrel, or aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole are valid alternatives for stroke or transient ischemic attack patients. To maximize the beneficial effects of these agents, the treatment should be initiated as early as possible and continue on a lifelong basis.

How do you know if clopidogrel is working?

Talk to a pharmacist or your doctor before buying any over-the-counter medicine to check if it is compatible with clopidogrel. You may notice that you bruise or bleed more easily and it will take longer to stop bleeding while you are taking clopidogrel. This shows that clopidogrel is working.

How long should you take clopidogrel after a TIA?

Recent minor non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA, DAPT with aspirin plus clopidogrel should be initiated early (ideally within 12–24 hours of symptom onset and at least within 7 days of onset) and continued for 21–90 days.

What can you take instead of clopidogrel?

Besides oral anticoagulants, such as warfarin and the more recent dabigatran[9], and niche agents, such as cilostazol and ticlopidine[10,11], the most promising alternatives to clopidogrel in those with background aspirin therapy are prasugrel and ticagrelor.

What foods should I avoid when taking clopidogrel?

Which is safer aspirin or clopidogrel?

Aspirin combined with the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel is no better than aspirin alone for stroke prevention in people with a history of lacunar strokes, and the combination carries a greater risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, according to results of a trial funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Does clopidogrel affect blood pressure?

You likely won't have blood pressure changes while you're taking Plavix. However, sudden drops in blood pressure may be a symptom of serious internal bleeding, which is a possible side effect of Plavix.

Can clopidogrel cause anxiety?

headache, fever, weakness, feeling tired; little or no urination; a seizure; low blood sugar--headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky; or.

Can I drink coffee with clopidogrel?

These medications are used to slow blood clotting and include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, and others), naproxen (Anaprox, Naprosyn, and others), enoxaparin (Lovenox), and more. Health experts advise caution when combining them with coffee, which can also slow blood clotting.

Can you ever stop taking blood thinners?

Medical researchers have developed and validated a rule that could let half of women with unexplained vein blood clots stop taking blood thinners for life. A Canadian-led research group has developed and validated a rule that could let half of women with unexplained vein blood clots stop taking blood thinners for life.

When is the best time to take clopidogrel 75 mg?

You can take clopidogrel at whatever time of day you find easiest to remember, but take your doses at the same time of day each day. Most people prefer to take it in the morning, as they find this helps them to remember to take it regularly. You can take the tablet either before or after a meal.

Does clopidogrel cause joint pain?

Arthralgia and backache are also known to occur with its use. There have been case reports linking arthritis with the use of clopidogrel. We describe the case of a 64-year-old man who reported symptoms of fever and joint pains following initiation of therapy with clopidogrel.