P
l a
v
i x
(clopidogrel bisulfate) 75mowbi«s
WHO IS PLAVIX FOR?
PI AVIX is a pres( ription-only rnedk ine Ihnl helps keep blood platelets
from slit king together and forming t lots.
PLAVIX is for patients who have:
•
had a recent heart attack.
•
had a recent stroke.
•
poor circulation in their legs (Peripheral Artery Disease).
PLAVIX in combination with aspirin is for patients hospitalized with;
•
heart-related chest pain (unstable angina).
•
heart attack.
Doctors
may
refer
to
these
conditions
as
ACS
(Acute
Coronary
Syndrome).
Clots can become dangerous when they form inside your arteries
These clots form when
hlood
platelets stick together, forming a
blockage within your arteries, restricting blood flow to your heart or
brain, causing a heart attack or stroke
WHO SHOULD NOT TAKE PLAVIX?
You should NOT take PI AVIX if you:
•
are allergic to clopidogrel (the active ingredient in PI AVIX).
•
have a stomach ulcer
•
have another condition that causes bleeding.
•
are pregnant or may become pregnant.
•
are breast feeding.
WHAT SHOULD I TELL MY DOCTOR BEFORE TAKING PLAVIX?
Before taking PLAVIX, tell your doctor if you’re pregnant or arc breast
feeding or have any of the following;
•
gastrointestinal ulcer
•
stomach ulcer(s)
•
liver problems
•
kidney problems
•
a history of bleeding conditions
WHAT
IMPORTANT
INFORMATION
SHOULD
I
KNOW
ABOUT
PLAVIX?
TIP.
A
very
serious
blood
condition
called
TIP
(Thrombotic
Thrombocytopenic
Purpura)
has
been
rarely
reported
in
people
taking PLAVIX. TIP is a
potentially life-threatening condition
that
involves low blood platelet and red blood cell levels, and requires
urgent referral to a specialist for prompt treatment once a diagnosis
is suspected. Warning signs of TTP may include fever, unexplained
confusion or weakness (due to a low blood count, what doctors call
anemia). To make an accurate diagnosis, your doctor will need to
order blood tests. TTP has been reported rarely, sometimes in less
than 2 weeks after starting therapy.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding- There is a potential risk of gastrointestinal
(stomach and intestine) bleeding when taking PI AVIX. PI AVIX should
lie used with caution in patients who have lesions lhal may bleed
(such as ulcers), along with patients who lake drugs that cause such
lesions.
Bleeding: You may bleed more easily and it may take you longer than
usual to stop bleeding when you take PLAVIX alone or in combination
with aspirin. Report any unusual bleeding to your doctor.
Geriatrics:
When
taking aspirin
with
PLAVIX
the
risk
of
serious
bleeding increases with age in patients
65
and over.
Stroke Patients:
If you
have had a
recent
IIA (also known as a
mini-stroke) or stroke taking aspirin with PI AVIX has nol been shown
to be more effective than taking PI AVIX alone, but taking aspirin with
PI AVIX has been shown to increase the risk of bleeding compared to
taking PLAVIX alone.
Surgery: Inform doctors and dentists well in advance of any surgery
that you are taking PLAVIX so they can help you decide whether or not
to discontinue your PLAVIX treatment prior to surgery.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT TAKING OTHER MEDICINES WITH
PLAVIX?
You should only take aspirin with PI AVIX when directed to do so
by your doctor. Certain other medicines should not he taken with
PI AVIX
Re
sure
to
tell
your
doctor
about
all
of
your
current
medications, especially if you are taking the following-
• aspirin
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• warfarin
• heparin
Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking PLAVIX before starting any
new medication.
WHAT ARE THE COMMON SIDE EFFECTS OF PLAVIX?
The most common side effects of PLAVIX include gastrointestinal
events (bleeding, abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, and nausea)
and rash. This is not a complete list of side effects associated with
PLAVIX. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for a complete list.
HOW SHOULD I TAKE PLAVIX?
Only take PLAVIX exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not change
your dose or stop taking PLAVIX without talking to your doctor first.
PLAVIX should be taken around the same time every day, and il can
be taken with or without food. If you miss a day, do not double up on
your medication. Just continue your
usual dose. If you have any
questions about taking your medications, please consult your doctor.
OVERDOSAGE
As with any prescription
medicine,
it is possible to overdose on
PLAVIX. If you think you may have overdosed, immediately call your
doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest emergency room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For
more
information
on
PLAVIX,
call
1
-
80 0
-
633-1610
or
visit
www.PLAVIX.com. Neither of these resources, nor the information
contained here, can take the place of talking to your doctor. Only your
doctor knows the specifics of your condition and how PLAVIX fits into
your overall therapy. It is therefore important to maintain an ongoing
dialogue
with
your doctor
concerning
your condition
and
your
treatment.
Distributed by:
Bristol-Myers Squihb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership
New York, NY
10016
PLAVIX4 is a registered trademark of sanofi-aventis.
PLA-OCT
07
-B-Aa
S an o F [av en tiS
<§§ Bristol Myers Squibb
