Plavix

A blood clot-preventing antiplatelet medication is called Plavix (clopidogrel). For those who have already experienced a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease, Plavix is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes. Other uses for Plavix that aren't covered in this medication guide are also possible.This article can be used by Welzo users as reference material to learn more about Plavix.
Overview
Uses
Side Effects
Medication
Ingredients
Supplements
Pharmacokinetics

Health Benefits

For those who have already experienced a heart attack, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease, Plavix is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes.

In patients with certain medical conditions, such as atrial fibrillation (a heart rhythm disorder), Plavix is also used to prevent blood clots.


Side Effects

The following are typical Plavix side effects:

bleeding (occasionally severe and fatal),

bruising,

tarry or bloody stools,

vomiting blood or what appears to be coffee grounds,

nosebleeds,

pink or red urine.

Dosage

75 mg of Plavix should be taken once daily. You can take Plavix with or without food. Try to take Plavix every day at the same time.

Take your missed Plavix dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose and resume your regular dosing schedule if your next dose is almost due. Never combine two doses at once.


Mechanism of Action

Plavix prevents platelets from clumping together and forming clots, which is how it functions.Blood cells called platelets aid in blood clotting.Plaque ruptures cause platelets to adhere to the broken surface and form a clot.Plavix stops platelets from adhering to one another and keeps them from clumping.

Interactions

If you take other medications, vitamins, or herbs, Plavix may interact with them. When a substance modifies how a drug functions, there is an interaction. This could be harmful or stop the medication from working properly.

Your doctor needs to carefully monitor all of your medications to help you avoid interactions. Tell your doctor about all of the drugs, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist to learn how this medication may interact with other medications you are taking.

Pharmacokinetics

Following oral administration, Plavix is quickly absorbed and reaches its peak levels in about an hour. When Plavix 75 mg was given along with omeprazole 40 mg once daily, the mean steady-state concentration (Css) of the active clopidogrel metabolite was about 10% higher than when Plavix 75 mg was given alone. The active metabolite of the prodrug clopidogrel prevents the aggregation of human platelets caused by ADP. The majority of the active metabolite is produced by the P450 enzyme CYP2C19, with assistance from CYP3A4, CYP1A2, and CYP2B6. The active metabolite of clopidogrel inhibits platelet aggregation by interacting with ADP receptors on platelets. This binding prevents adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from interacting with its receptor and activating the glycoprotein IIb/IIIa complex as a result.