Ticlopidine

Ticlopidine is used to reduce the risk of stroke in people who have had a stroke or have had warning signs of a stroke and who cannot be treated with aspirin. Ticlopidine is also used along with aspirin to prevent blood clots from forming in coronary stents (metal tubes surgically placed in clogged blood vessels to improve blood flow). It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from collecting and forming clots.

Ticlopidine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It usually is taken twice a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take ticlopidine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Continue to take ticlopidine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking ticlopidine without talking to your doctor.

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

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nausea</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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vomiting</li>
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stomach pain</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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gas</li>
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headache</li>
<li>
itching</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, or those listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:

<ul>
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fever, sore throat, or other signs of infection</li>
<li>
unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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light-colored stools</li>
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skin rash</li></ul>Ticlopidine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are 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 ticlopidine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to ticlopidine,any other medications, or any of the ingredients in ticlopidine tablets. 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: antacids, anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin), aspirin, cimetidine (Tagamet), clopidogrel (Plavix), digoxin (Lanoxin), and theophylline (Theo-Dur). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. if you also take antacids (Maalox, Mylanta) take them 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking ticlopidine. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had liver disease, bleeding disorders, bleeding ulcers, low blood cell counts (neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia, TTP), kidney disease, high blood cholesterol, or high blood fats (triglycerides). talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking ticlopidine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take ticlopidine because it is not as safe or effective as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking ticlopidine. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking ticlopidine 10 to 14 days before your procedure. Follow these directions.

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.