Clopidogrel is generally safe to take for a long time. In fact, it works best if you take it for many months or even years. If you're at risk of getting a stomach ulcer, your doctor may prescribe a medicine to help protect your stomach while you're taking clopidogrel.

Can clopidogrel be taken long-term?

Safety Announcement. [ 11-06-2015 ] A U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) review has determined that long-term use of the blood-thinning drug Plavix (clopidogrel) does not increase or decrease overall risk of death in patients with, or at risk for, heart disease.

Do you have to take clopidogrel for life?

Treatment with clopidogrel is usually for life, unless there are any reported problems. In the UK, medicines must have a licence, also called a Marketing Authorisation (MA), before they are approved for treating patients.

How long should I stay on clopidogrel?

Clopidogrel and low-dose aspirin

The key question for your doctor is whether the benefits outweigh the extra risk. This combination treatment is prescribed for a limited period of time, usually up to a maximum of 12 months.

Can you take Plavix for 10 years?

The data "suggest that all patients with drug-eluting stents should continue to take [Plavix] for at least 12 months after [stent implantation], and possibly indefinitely," Eisenstein and colleagues conclude.

Antiplatelet Drugs: For How Long? Only After Stents? (Neal S. Kleiman, MD)

What are the long term effects of taking Plavix?

Unnecessary use of Plavix may expose individuals to an increased risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, severe ulcers, a rare blood disorder known as thrombotic thrombocytopenic pupura (TTP) and other injuries.

How do I come off clopidogrel?

Do not stop taking clopidogrel without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking clopidogrel, your blood will start clotting at the same rate as before you started taking it, usually within 5 days of stopping the medicine. This means you may be at increased risk of serious problems like heart attacks or strokes.

Is there an alternative to clopidogrel?

Ticagrelor and prasugrel are antiplatelet drugs that are alternatives to clopidogrel in acute coronary syndrome. Their advantages include reduced rates of ischaemia and stent thrombosis. The risk of major bleeding is likely to be higher with prasugrel compared to clopidogrel.

Is it OK to take clopidogrel every other day?

Conclusions: Long term dual anti-platelet therapy with aspirin 81 mg daily and clopidogrel 75 mg every other day beyond 12 months after PCI with DES may be a safe and efficacious cost-saving strategy to prevent VLST.

Which is safer aspirin or clopidogrel?

Aspirin combined with the antiplatelet drug clopidogrel is no better than aspirin alone for stroke prevention in people with a history of lacunar strokes, and the combination carries a greater risk of gastrointestinal bleeding, according to results of a trial funded by the National Institutes of Health.

Is clopidogrel lifelong after stroke?

Currently, the uses of aspirin, clopidogrel, or aspirin plus extended-release dipyridamole are valid alternatives for stroke or transient ischemic attack patients. To maximize the beneficial effects of these agents, the treatment should be initiated as early as possible and continue on a lifelong basis.

How long should you take clopidogrel after a TIA?

Recent minor non-cardioembolic ischemic stroke or high-risk TIA, DAPT with aspirin plus clopidogrel should be initiated early (ideally within 12–24 hours of symptom onset and at least within 7 days of onset) and continued for 21–90 days.

How long should you be on clopidogrel after a TIA?

Aspirin plus clopidogrel for 21 to 30 days after TIA or minor stroke reduces recurrent stroke. Aspirin plus clopidogrel is more effective than aspirin but less effective than anticoagulation for preventing stroke from atrial fibrillation.

Does clopidogrel affect the kidneys?

Conclusions. In summary, among patients hospitalized with ACS and treated with clopidogrel, lower levels of kidney function were associated with a greater risk of death, hospitalization for AMI, and major bleeding.

Can you drink alcohol with clopidogrel?

Can I drink alcohol while taking clopidogrel? ️ Yes (within the recommended limits). Alcohol doesn't affect clopidogrel itself, but just be aware that drinking alcohol can irritate your stomach lining. This could increase the risk of getting a bleeding in the stomach.

Does clopidogrel affect blood pressure?

You likely won't have blood pressure changes while you're taking Plavix. However, sudden drops in blood pressure may be a symptom of serious internal bleeding, which is a possible side effect of Plavix.

Can you ever stop taking blood thinners?

Medical researchers have developed and validated a rule that could let half of women with unexplained vein blood clots stop taking blood thinners for life. A Canadian-led research group has developed and validated a rule that could let half of women with unexplained vein blood clots stop taking blood thinners for life.

When is the best time to take clopidogrel 75 mg?

You can take clopidogrel at whatever time of day you find easiest to remember, but take your doses at the same time of day each day. Most people prefer to take it in the morning, as they find this helps them to remember to take it regularly. You can take the tablet either before or after a meal.

Does clopidogrel make you tired?

Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: excessive tiredness. headache.

What should you not take with clopidogrel?

Clopidogrel may interact with other medications

• Diabetes drug. In most cases, repaglinide should not be taken with clopidogrel. ...
• Stomach acid drugs (proton pump inhibitors) ...
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) ...
• Blood thinners.
• Drugs used to treat depression. ...
• Salicylates (aspirin) ...
• Opioids.

What foods should I avoid when taking clopidogrel?

Foods to avoid when taking heart medications

• Asparagus.
• Broccoli.
• Brussels sprouts.
• Cauliflower.
• Green onions.
• Kale.
• Parsley.
• Spinach.

Can clopidogrel cause anxiety?

headache, fever, weakness, feeling tired; little or no urination; a seizure; low blood sugar--headache, hunger, sweating, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, and feeling anxious or shaky; or.

Can clopidogrel be stopped suddenly?

You do not need to wean the drug, and can stop it abruptly.

Can clopidogrel cause bleeding on the brain?

Background-—Although clopidogrel reduces the incidence of atherothrombotic events, its use is associated with an increased risk of major bleeding. Cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) are indicative of subclinical microangiopathy in the brain and may prelude symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage.

Does Plavix cause memory loss?

Although no creditable studies have been done on Plavix and memory, it's unlikely that this drug is the cause of her short-term memory loss — for a couple of reasons.