Plavix (generic name: Clopidogrel; brand names: Iscover / Clopilet / Ceruvin) is a prescription medication that belongs to a group of medicines called anti-platelet medicines.
Platelets are very small blood cells which clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, anti-platelet medicines reduce the chances of blood clots forming (a process called thrombosis).
Plavix is proven to help keep platelets from sticking together and forming clots. This enables blood to flow more easily, helping to reduce the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.
Plavix is prescribed to help prevent blood clots forming and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and death in patients who have previously suffered a heart attack, stroke or have a condition known as peripheral arterial disease.
Plavix in combination with aspirin is also recommended for people who have Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), a diagnosis that includes heart-related chest pain (unstable angina) and the 2 types of heart attack - acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction and non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction.
Recommendations
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Plavix exactly as directed.
The usual dose of Plavix is one 75 mg tablet daily. Plavix may be taken with or without food. For patients who have Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS), Plavix should be taken together with aspirin as directed by your doctor.
Take Plavix at about the same time each day. Taking your tablet at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take it.
Taking your daily dose ensures that the medicine is in your bloodstream every day, helping protect you from a future heart attack or stroke by inhibiting potentially dangerous clot formation.
If you do accidentally miss a day, do not double up on your medicine, just continue your usual dose.
Keep Plavix at room temperature, away from heat and moisture.
Precautions
Before taking Plavix, tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to any medicines;
you have liver disease; bleeding disorders; or you are planning to have an operation in the next two weeks;
you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant, or you are breast-feeding.
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