Clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is used to prevent strokes and heart attacks in patients at risk for these problems. Clopidogrel is in a class of medications called antiplatelet drugs. It works by helping to prevent harmful blood clots that may cause heart attacks or strokes.

Clopidogrel comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Try to take clopidogrel at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clopidogrel exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Clopidogrel will help prevent heart attacks and strokes only as long as you take the medication. Continue to take clopidogrel even if you feel well. Do not stop taking clopidogrel without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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excessive tiredness</li>
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headache</li>
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dizziness</li>
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nausea</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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nosebleed</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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hives</li>
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rash</li>
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itching</li>
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difficulty breathing or swallowing</li>
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swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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hoarseness</li>
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black and tarry stools</li>
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red blood in stools</li>
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bloody vomit</li>
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vomit that looks like coffee grounds</li>
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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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slow or difficult speech</li>
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weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg</li>
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vision loss</li>
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fever</li>
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shortness of breath</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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pale skin</li>
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purple patches or bleeding under the skin</li>
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confusion</li>
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yellowing of the skin or eyes</li></ul>Clopidogrel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking clopidogrel, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clopidogrel or any other medications. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin); certain antifungals such as fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral), and voriconazole (Vfend); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as felbamate (Felbatol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); fluvastatin (Lescol); cimetidine (Tagamet); etravirine (Intelence); fluoxetine (Prozac); fluvoxamine (Luvox); phenytoin (Dilantin); proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as esomeprazole (Nexium) and omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid); tamoxifen (Nolvadex); ticlopidine (Ticlid); tolbutamide; and torsemide (Demadex). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. tell your doctor if you have bleeding ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that are bleeding), bleeding in the brain, or any other condition that causes severe bleeding. Your doctor may tell you that you should not take clopidogrel. tell your doctor if you have recently been injured and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease or any condition that may cause bleeding, including stomach problems such as ulcers and certain eye problems. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking clopidogrel. you should know that you may bleed more easily or for a longer time than usual while you are taking clopidogrel. Be careful not to cut or hurt yourself while you are taking clopidogrel.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include the following:

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unusual bruising or bleeding</li></ul>