Antiplatelet medicine for heart attack and unstable angina

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
clopidogrel	Plavix

How It Works

This medicine prevents the formation of blood clots.

Why It Is Used

Antiplatelet medicine is used for people who have unstable angina or a heart attack and people with angina who have angioplasty.

You may take an antiplatelet if you cannot take aspirin.

Or you may take an antiplatelet along with aspirin.

If you had angioplasty and got a stent, you will take antiplatelet medicines to help prevent another heart attack or a stroke. You will probably take aspirin plus another antiplatelet such as clopidogrel (Plavix). If you get a drug-eluting stent, you will probably take both of these medicines for at least one year. If you get a bare metal stent, you will take both medicines for at least one month but maybe up to one year. Then you will likely take daily aspirin long-term. If you have a high risk of bleeding, your doctor may shorten the time you take these medicines.

How Well It Works

Antiplatelet medicine, taken with aspirin, helps lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people who have had angioplasty with a stent. This medicine lowers the risk that blood will clot in the stent and cause a heart attack.¹

Antiplatelet medicine also may be used to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke in people who have had a heart attack or unstable angina.

Side Effects

Some side effects of taking an antiplatelet drug may include:

• Increased bleeding (hemorrhage) in the brain or other internal organs.
• Bleeding in the stomach or intestines.
• Increased bruising.
• Stomach irritation.
• Allergic reaction.
• Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia), low white blood cell count (neutropenia), and low red cell count (anemia).

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

Do not stop taking antiplatelet medicine without talking to your doctor. It is important to take this medicine, especially if you have a stent. Antiplatelet medicine lowers the risk that blood will clot in the stent and cause a heart attack.

Antiplatelet medicine increases the risk of bleeding.

If you have a high risk of bleeding from taking an antiplatelet, your doctor may suggest you take a proton-pump inhibitormedicine to help prevent bleeding in your stomach. But a proton-pump inhibitor medicine may keep clopidogrel from working as well. If you are taking both aspirin and clopidogrel, talk with your doctor about how you can lower your risk of bleeding.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Robin Parks, MS	Last Updated: May 5, 2009
Medical Review:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine John A. McPherson, MD, FACC, FSCAI - Cardiology
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