Plavix and its Uses
Generic Plavix is in a class of medications called anti-platelet drugs. Generic Plavix helps reduce your risk of having a future heart attack or stroke.
Generic Plavix is proven to help keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots. This helps blood flow more easily, reducing the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.
Generic Plavix is recommended for people who have suffered from a recent heart attack or recent stroke, or who have peripheral artery disease (P.A.D.)—poor circulation in the legs that may cause pain during exercise, such as walking, and may be relieved by rest.
People with unstable angina are also at risk of a heart attack because of the atherosclerosis in their arteries. Similarly, people who have narrowed arteries in their extremities, eg legs, (peripheral arterial disease) are also at risk of blood clots. These events are known as atherothrombotic events. Generic Plavix is used to prevent blood clots forming within blood vessels, and therefore reduce the risk of further atherothrombotic events in these groups of people.
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Clot formation is a natural defense mechanism of the body, to protect you from excessive bleeding in the case of an injury. When you cut yourself, particles in your blood called platelets stick together to form a clot. Clot formation can also be triggered by the rupture of plaque, which is a buildup of cholesterol and other materials in the walls of the arteries. When platelets clump together on or near the plaque, they can form a clot that may limit or completely stop the flow of blood to various parts of the body. If a clot forms in an artery leading to the heart, heart-related chest pain or a heart attack can occur. If a clot forms in an artery leading to the brain, a stroke can occur.
A blood clot that forms inside the blood vessels is known as a thrombosis and can be dangerous, as it can cause a blockage that cuts off the blood supply to an organ. A blockage in the arteries supplying blood to the heart or brain can cause a heart attack or stroke. A blockage in the blood vessels in the extremities, eg legs, may result in gangrene.
Blood clots and blockages mainly result from a build up of atherosclerosis on the inside of blood vessels. Atherosclerosis is a build up of cholesterol and fat cells that narrows the blood vessels and makes their interiors rough and bumpy. This makes it more difficult for blood to flow through the vessels, and increases the likelihood of clots forming in the vessels.
Generic Plavix works by preventing a natural substance called ADP from binding to its receptors on platelets. ADP is one of the chemicals in the body that cause platelets to clump together and start the process of blood clotting. As Generic Plavix stops ADP from binding to platelets, it reduces the likelihood of clots forming in the blood.
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Plavix Dose
Missed Dose of Plavix
Take the missed dose of Plavix as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose of PLavix, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose of Plavix. Do not take a double dose of Plavix.
Excess Dose of Plavix
Generic Plavix in excess dose may show symptoms such as vomiting, difficulty breathing, blood in the vomit or stool, and exhaustion.
Conditions for Storage of Generic Plavix
Store Generic Plavix at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Potencies of Generic Plavix
Plavix Tablets: Plavix 75 mg
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Food and Drug Interactions with Plavix
There may be an increased risk of bleeding if Generic Plavix is taken with the following medicines, which also affect blood clotting:
- aspirin
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), eg naproxen, ibuprofen, diclofenac
- heparin
- glycoprotein IIb/IIIa inhibitors, eg abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban
- medicines that break down blood clots (thrombolytics), eg alteplase
- warfarin (not recommended for use in combination with clopidogrel)
You should be carefully monitored for any signs of bleeding during the first weeks of treatment with Generic Plavix, and following any surgery, if you are also taking Plavix.
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Contraindications with Plavix
Generic Plavix is contraindicated in the following:
- Active bleeding, such as peptic ulcer or brain haemorrhage
- Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- First few days following a heart attack
- First week following an ischaemic stroke
- Severely decreased liver function
- Allergy to one or any of its ingredients
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Precautions with Plavix
Generic Plavix should be used with caution in:
- Decreased kidney function
- Moderate liver disease
- People at risk of bleeding due to surgery, injury or disease
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Adverse effects with Plavix
The adverse effects associated with Generic Plavix are:
- Headache
- Rash
- Itching (pruritus)
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Indigestion (dyspepsia)
- Bruising
- Balance problems involving the inner ear (vertigo)
- Bleeding (haemorrhage)
- Pins and needles (paraesthesia)
- Dizziness
- Blood in the urine (haematuria)
- Nosebleeds (epistaxis)
- Decrease in the number of a type of white blood cell (neutrophil) in the blood (neutropenia)
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Localised collection of blood (usually clotted) due to a break in the blood vessel wall (haematoma)
- Ulceration or bleeding of the stomach or intestines
- Small haemorrhage (bleeding) in the skin (purpura)
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