Clopidogrel is a drug to prevent strokes and heart attacks in people with heart disease or blood clotting disorders. This drug can be taken as a single drug or in combination with other drugs.
Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet drug that works by preventing platelets or platelet cells from sticking together and forming blood clots. If a blood clot forms in an artery, a heart attack or stroke can occur.
Brand dClopidogrel agent: Agrelano, Artepid, Clidorel, Clodovix, Clofion, Clogin, Clotix, Copidrel, Coplavix, CPG, Febogrel, Lopigard, Medigrel, Pidovix, Placta, Pladel, Pladogrel, Plamed, Platogrix, Plavesco, Plavix, Quagrel, Rinclo, Simclovix, The Thrombikaf, Vaclo
What is Clopidogrel
| group | Antiplatelet drugs |
| Category | Prescription drugs |
| Benefit | Prevent strokes and blood clots, especially if you have previously had a blood flow disorder, heart attack, angina pectoris, or had a heart ring inserted |
| Consumed by | Mature |
| Clopidogrel for pregnant and lactating women | Category B: Studies in animal studies have not shown any risk to the fetus, but there are no controlled studies in pregnant women. It is not known whether clopidogrel is absorbed into breast milk or not. If you are breastfeeding, do not use this medicine without consulting your doctor first. |
| Drug form | Tablet |
Warnings Before Taking Clopidogrel:
- Do not take clopidogrel if you are allergic to this drug.
- Do not consume alcoholic beverages while taking clopidogrel, as they can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
- Do not consume fruit or grape juice while taking clopidogrel because it can reduce the effectiveness of this drug and increase the risk of side effects.
- Do not stop taking clopidogrel carelessly without consulting a cardiologist first.
- Tell your doctor about your medical history, especially if you have had stomach ulcers, bleeding in your eyes, serious injuries, liver disease, or blood clotting disorders, such as hemophilia.
- If you are planning to have dental work or surgery, tell your doctor that you are taking clopidogrel.
- Clopidogrel can make it harder for bleeding to stop. Therefore, be careful when using sharp objects, and avoid sports that involve physical contact, such as soccer.
- Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or planning a pregnancy.
- See a doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug or an overdose after taking clopidogrel.
Dosage and Instructions for Use of Clopidogrel
The dose of clopidogrel depends on the patient's condition. However, the doses generally recommended by doctors are:
- Condition: angina and Non-ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (NSTEMI)
The initial dose is 300 mg once daily, followed by a maintenance dose of 75 mg once daily. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
- Condition:ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI)
The initial dose is 300 mg once daily (subject to change depending on the patient's condition), followed by a maintenance dose of 75 mg once daily. The duration of treatment is determined by the doctor.
Clopidogrel for this condition may be combined with 75–325 mg of aspirin once daily.
- Condition: ischemic stroke, heart attack, peripheral arterial disease
75 mg once daily.
How to Take Clopidogrel Correctly
Clopidogrel should only be used as prescribed by a doctor. Follow the doctor's recommendations and read the instructions for use listed on the packaging before using clopidogrel.
Clopidogrel can be taken before or after meals, but try to take it at the same time each day to get the maximum benefit from this drug.
If you forget to take clopidogrel, it is advisable to do it as soon as you remember, if the break with the next schedule is not too close. If it is close, ignore it and do not double the dose.
Store clopidogrel at room temperature and away from moisture and heat.
Clopidogrel Interactions with Other Drugs
Clopidogrel may increase blood levels of CYP2C8 substrate drugs (such as repaglinide). In addition, the consumption of clopidogrel together with other drugs below can also cause certain interaction effects:
- CYP2C19 inhibitors, such as omeprazole, esomeprazole, carbamazepine, ticlopidine, voriconazole, and fluvoxamine, reduce the antiplatelet effect of clopidogrel.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), anticoagulants, or antiplatelet agents, including aspirin, have the effect of increasing the risk of bleeding.
Clopidogrel Side Effects and Dangers
Some of the side effects that may appear after taking clopidogrel are:
- Diarrhea
- Easy bruising
- Bleeding that is difficult to stop
- Indigestion
- Stomach pain
Immediately see a doctor if serious side effects occur, such as:
- Vomiting blood
- Bleeding cough
- bloody CHAPTER
- Bloody urine or hematuria
- Yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes (sclera) or jaundice
- Signs of infection, such as fatigue, fever or sore throat
You should also see a doctor immediately if you have an allergic reaction to the drug, such as an itchy red rash on the skin, swelling of the lips and eyelids, or difficulty breathing, after taking clopidogrel.