Plavix (Clopidogrel) is an anti-platelet drug, which means it is a drug that prevents the ability of platelets to stick together as part of a blood clot. This drug was approved by the FDA in 1997. Your doctor may have given you Plavix to treat a heart problem or poor circulation in your legs. Some doctors prescribe Plavix alone. However, some doctors prescribe it with aspirin to lower the chances of a patient having a serious problem with the individual’s heart or blood vessels that could lead to a heart attack or stroke.
Medicines and their possible side effects affect individuals in different ways. One of the known side effects of Plavix is bleeding. Plavix can cause bleeding that can be serious and can sometimes lead to death. However, not all people using this medicine will experience this side effect.
The most common instances of bleeding that affects 1 in 10 and 1 in 100 people are nosebleeds, bleeding at injection sites, and bleeding in the stomach or bowels. The uncommon instances of bleeding that affects 1 in 100 and 1 in 1000 people are bleeding in the skin, bleeding in the eyes or brain, blood in the urine, and decreased number of platelets. The very rare instances of bleeding that affects less than 1 in 10,000 people are bleeding in the lungs or joints, serious problems with blood cells, and fatal bleeding.
A study in 2011 concluded that heart attack patients who take both antiplatelet drugs such as Plavix and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor antidepressants have a higher risk for bleeding than patients who take anti-clotting drugs only. In the Canadian research, the researchers examined approximately 27,000 heart attack patients and found out that patients taking Plavix alone had a similar risk of bleeding, but taking an antidepressant and Plavix together increases the risk of bleeding by 42 percent.
The FDA advises to call your doctor right away if you experience any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:
• Unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time
• Blood in your urine (pink, red or brown urine)
• Red or black stools (looks like tar)
• Bruises that happen without a known cause or get larger
• Cough up blood or blood clots
• Vomit blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds
Plavix is not right for everyone. You should tell your doctor everything before taking this medicine. Tell the doctor if you have a condition that causes active bleeding such as stomach ulcers. Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or planning to conceive a baby. Before taking this drug, tell the doctor about all the medicines that you are currently taking or had taken in the past. Plavix does not work well with a lot of medications, whether prescription or over-the-counter.
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