Clopidogrel: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug Clopidogrel?

What is Clopidogrel for?

Clopidogrel is a drug used to prevent heart attacks in people who have recently had heart disease, stroke, or blood circulation disease (peripheral vascular disease).

Clopidogrel is also used with aspirin to treat shortness of breath that worsens due to a new heart attack, unstable angina, and to prevent blood clots after certain procedures (such as cardiac stents). This medicine may also be used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with irregular heartbeats.

The way clopidogrel works is by preventing the sticking of blood platelets and dangerous blockages. Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet drug that helps keep blood flow smoothly in the body.

Clopidogrel dosage and clopidogrel side effects are described further below.

How do you use Clopidogrel?

Take clopidogrel before or after meals as directed by your doctor, usually once daily. Take this medicine regularly for maximum benefits. To help you remember, use it at the same times each day.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. If you are taking medication to prevent blockage after tube implantation or other procedures, take this medication along with an aspirin for months or years after the procedure (depending on the procedure / tube type) as directed by your doctor. Consult your doctor for more details and about the risks of quitting early. It is important to continue taking the medication even if you feel well. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Avoid eating grapefruit or drinking grapefruit juice while taking this medicine if your doctor or pharmacist has not said you can do it safely. Grapefruit can increase the side effects of drugs. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Get medical help immediately if you have signs that the medication is not working, for example, new symptoms of a heart attack or stroke (such as pain in the chest / jaw / left arm), sweating abnormally, weakness on one side of the body, slurred speech, changes in vision suddenly, confused).

How is Clopidogrel stored?

Clopidogrel is a drug that is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Clopidogrel dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the Clopidogrel dosage for adults?

• For thromboembolic disorders in adults, the clopidogrel dosage is 75 mg orally once a day before or after meals. Aspirin therapy should be started and continued with clopidogrel.
• For acute coronary syndrome in adults, the dose of clopidogrel is 300 mg, followed by 75 mg orally once a day before or after meals. Aspirin therapy should be started and continued with clopidogrel.

What is the dose of Clopidogrel for children?

The safety and effectiveness of clopidogrel have not been assured in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age).

In what dosage is Clopidogrel available?

The dosage requirements for clopidogrel are 75 mg and 300 mg tablets.

Clopidogrel side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Clopidogrel?

Stop using clopidogrel and call your doctor right away if you experience serious side effects such as:

• Non-stop nosebleeds or other bleeding
• Bloody stool or blood in the urine
• Coughing up blood or vomiting dark liquid like coffee
• Hard to breathe
• Pain that radiates to the arm or shoulder is accompanied by nausea and sweating
• Sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
• Sudden headache, confusion, blurred vision, difficulty speaking, or disturbed balance
• Pale, lethargic skin, fever, or yellowing or yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Easy bruising, unusual bleeding (in the nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum), purple or red spots under the skin

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Clopidogrel Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Clopidogrel?

In making a decision to use a drug, the risks of taking the drug must be weighed against its benefits. It is up to you and your doctor. In general, some things that should be considered before taking clopidogrel are:

• Allergy. Tell your doctor if you have had any allergic reactions or unusual symptoms to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your healthcare professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as food, coloring, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter medications, read the label or package carefully.

• Children. There have not been adequate studies on the relationship of age to the effects of clopidogrel in pediatric patients. The safety and effectiveness of this is not clear for children.

• Elderly. There is not yet sufficient research to pinpoint the problems that will limit the benefits of clopidogrel for the elderly.

Is Clopidogrel safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is no adequate research on the risks of using clopidogrel for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the pregnancy risk category C (possibly risky) according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, which is the equivalent of the Indonesian Food and Drug Administration Agency in Indonesia.

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

• A = Not at risk
• B = No risk in several studies
• C = May be risky
• D = There is positive evidence of risk
• X = Contraindicated
• N = Unknown

Clopidogrel Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Clopidogrel?

Although several types of drugs cannot be taken at the same time, there are also cases where the drugs can be taken simultaneously if there is an interaction. In this case, the doctor may change the dose, or may need to be prevented. Tell a healthcare professional if you are taking medication with or without a prescription.

Using this medicine in combination with other medicines below is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some cases. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acenocoumarol
• Alipogene Tiparvovec
• Alteplase, Recombinant
• Amlodipine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Anagrelide
• Apixaban
• Argatroban
• Aspirin
• Bivalirudin
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Bupropion
• Celecoxib
• Choline Salicylate
• Cilostazol
• Cimetidine
• Citalopram
• Clevidipine
• Clonixin
• Dabigatran Etexilate
• Dalteparin
• Danaparoid
• Desirudin
• Desvenlafaxine
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Dislunisal
• Diltiazem
• Dipyridamole
• Dipyrone
• Drotrecogin Alfa
• Duloxetine
• Enoxaparin
• Eptifibatide
• Escitalopram
• Eslicarbazepine Acetate
• Esomeprazole
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Etravirine
• Felbamate
• Felbinac
• Felodipine
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Floctafenine
• Fluconazole
• Flufenamic Acid
• Fluoxetine
• Flurbiprofen
• Fluvoxamine
• Fondaparinux
• Heparin
• Ibuprofen
• Ibuprofen Lysine
• Indomethacin
• Isradipine
• Ketoconazole
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Lepirudin
• Levomilnacipran
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Milnacipran
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nefazodone
• Nepafenac
• Nicardipine
• Nifedipine
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimodipine
• Nisoldipine
• Omeprazole
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Paroxetine
• Phenindione
• Phenprocoumon
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Piroxicam
• Pranoprofen
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Protein C, Human
• Rabeprazole
• Rivaroxaban
• Rofecoxib
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Sertraline
• Sibutramine
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sulindac
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Ticlopidine
• Tinzaparin
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Valdecoxib
• Venlafaxine
• Verapamil
• Voriconazole
• Vortioxetine
• Warfarin

Taking this medicine with other medicines may increase your risk of certain side effects, but taking both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both drugs are prescribed simultaneously, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both drugs.

• Amiodarone
• Atorvastatin
• Fosphenytoin
• Ginkgo
• Lovastatin
• Phenytoin
• Simvastatin
• Vitamin A.

Can food or alcohol interact with Clopidogrel?

Certain drugs cannot be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. The interactions below have been selected based on potential change and are not necessarily inclusive.

Drinking grapefruit juice while drinking clopidogrel is usually not recommended, but may not be avoided in some cases. When used concurrently, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use the drug, or give specific instructions about using food, alcohol, or cigarettes.

What health conditions can interact with Clopidogrel?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, in particular:

• Bleeding due to peptic ulcer or head injury
• Stroke, recent or
• Transient ischemic attack (tia or light stroke)

Clopidogrel overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (118/119) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include unnatural bruising or bleeding

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.