(clopidogrel bisulfate)
75mg tablets
WHO IS PLAVIX FOR?
PLAVIX is a prescription-only medicine that helps keep blood platelets
from sticking together and forming clots.
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
blood
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 PLAVIX if you:
•
are allergic to clopidogrel (the active ingredient in PLAVIX).
•
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 youYe pregnant or are 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?
TTP:
A
very
serious
blood
condition
called
TTP
(Thrombotic
Thrombocytopenic
Purpura)
has
been
rarely
reported
in
people
taking PLAVIX. TTP 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 PLAVIX. PLAVIX should
be used with caution in patients who have lesions that may bleed
(such as ulcers), along with patients who take 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 TIA (also
known
as a
mini-stroke) or stroke taking aspirin with PLAVIX has not been shown
to be more effective than taking PLAVIX alone, but taking aspirin with
PLAVIX 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
PLAVIX when directed to do so
by your doctor. Certain other medicines should not be taken with
PLAVIX.
Be
sure
to
tell
your
doctor
about
all
of
your
current
medications, especially if you are taking the following:
•
aspirin
•
nonsteroidal anti-inflam m atory 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, abdom inal 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 it 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, im m ediately call your
doctor or Poison Control Center, or go to the nearest emergency room.
FOR MORE INFORMATION
For
more
inform ation
on
PLAVIX,
call
1
-
800
-
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 Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Partnership
Bridgewater, NJ
08807
PLAVIX® is a registered trademark.
PLA-OCT
07
-B-Aa
s a n o f i a v e n t is
Bristol-Myers Squibb
