Plavix (Sanofi-Aventis Canada, 75 mg): Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Plavix used for?

• Plavix is used in adults to help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of having conditions caused by blood clots (such as strokes, unstable angina (chest pain at rest), heart attacks, or peripheral arterial disease (leg pain on walking or at rest)).
• Plavix is also used in adults who have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and cannot take medicines known as oral anticoagulants.

How does Plavix work?

Plavix belongs to a group of medicines known as antiplatelet drugs. Platelets are very small structures in the blood that clump together during blood clotting. Antiplatelet drugs such as Plavix help prevent this clumping and reduce the chance of blood clots forming.

What are the ingredients in Plavix?

Medicinal ingredients: Clopidogrel bisulfate

Non-medicinal ingredients: Carnauba wax, hydrogenated castor oil, hypromellose, lactose (monohydrate), low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol 6000, red iron oxide, titanium dioxide, and triacetin.

Plavix comes in the following dosage forms:

Tablets, 75 mg

Do not use Plavix if:

• are allergic to clopidogrel bisulfate or any of the ingredients contained in the tablets.
• are taking replaglinide, a drug used to lower blood glucose.
• have a medical condition that may cause bleeding, such as a stomach ulcer.
• have liver problems.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Plavix. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have a medical condition that causes bleeding, such as a stomach ulcer, or a blood disorder that causes you to bleed more easily or tend to bleed longer than 10 minutes without taking any drugs.

• are taking any other medications such as:

  • acetylsalicylic acid (ASA);
  • other drugs used to reduce or prevent blood clotting, such as warfarin, heparin, abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban and dipyridamole;
  • oral antidepressants drugs (SSRIs – Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors), such as fluvoxamine and fluoxetine;
  • Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) used to treat painful and/or inflammatory conditions of muscles or joints;
  • drugs used to treat stomach ulcers and stomach acidity, such as omeprazole;
  • rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat strong infections;
  • rosuvastatin, a drug used to lower the level of cholesterol;
• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or become pregnant while taking Plavix.

• are breast-feeding.
• have recently had surgery (including dental surgery), or plan on having surgery soon. Your healthcare professional may ask you to stop taking Plavix for 5-7 days before your surgery.
• have allergies to medications, including prasugrel or ticlopidine.

• are lactose intolerant or have one of the following rare hereditary diseases:

  • Galactose intolerance
  • Lapp lactase deficiency
  • Glucose-galactose malabsorption

because lactose is a non-medicinal ingredient in Plavix.

Other warnings you should know about:

Plavix is not recommended for children or adolescents below 18 years of age.

If you experience any excessive bleeding while taking Plavix, do not stop taking Plavix but see or call your healthcare professional right away.

If you should see another doctor or a dentist while you are using Plavix, you should tell them that you are using Plavix.

Blood Tests: Monitoring and Tests:

Your healthcare professional may want to do blood tests if you are on certain medication to follow your progress. It is important that you do have your blood tested.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with Plavix:

• Aspirin (ASA), used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.

  Serious Drug Interactions

  • Repaglinide, used to lower blood sugar
• Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS), used to treat painful and/or inflammatory conditions of the muscles or joints.
• Opioids, used to treat severe pain. While you are treated with Plavix, you should tell your healthcare professional before being prescribed any opioid.
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluvoxamine and fluoxetine, used to treat depression.
• Drugs use to reduce or prevent clotting, such as heparin, warfarin, abciximab, eptifibatide, tirofiban and dipyridamole.
• Antacids, such as omeprazole, used for indigestion or heartburn.
• Paclitaxel, used to treat many types of cancer.
• Rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat severe infections.
• Rosuvastatin, a drug used to lower the level of cholesterol.

How to take Plavix:

Plavix can be taken with or without food. You should take your medicine regularly and at the same time each day.

This product has been prescribed for you. You should not give it to others. Plavix should be taken long term, under the supervision of your healthcare professional.

Usual adult dose:

You should take one 75 mg tablet of Plavix per day, by mouth.

If you have had unstable angina (chest pain at rest) or a heart attack, a one-time 300 mg dose may be given to you, followed by one 75 mg tablet daily.

If you have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat), the usual dose is Plavix 75 mg once daily in combination with ASA 75-100 mg once daily.

Overdose:

Missed Dose:

If you forget to take a dose of Plavix, but remember within 12 hours of your usual time, take your tablet immediately, and then take your next tablet at the normal time. If you forget for more than 12 hours, simply take the next single dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.

When using the blister format, you can check the day on which you last took a tablet of Plavix by referring to the calendar printed on the blister strip.

What are possible side effects from using Plavix?

These are not all the possible side effects you may have when taking Plavix. If you experience any side effects not listed here, tell your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

• joint pain and/or muscle pain
• abdominal pain, diarrhea, indigestion (heartburn)
• nausea, vomiting, constipation, loss of taste, taste disturbance
• dizziness, headache
• tingling sensation in the arms and/or legs
• rash, itching
• bruising
• enlargement of breast tissue in men

If you cut or injure yourself, it may take slightly longer than usual for bleeding to stop. For minor cuts and injuries, like cutting yourself while shaving, this is of no concern. However, if you are in any doubt at all, you should contact your healthcare professional immediately.

Plavix can cause abnormal blood test results. Your healthcare professional will decide when to perform blood tests and will interpret the results.

Serious side effects and what to do about them

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, tell your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

For blisters, store between 15° and 30° C and protect from moisture.

For bottles, store between 15° and 30° C.

Plavix tablets should be stored in a safe place and be kept out of the reach and sight of children. Do not leave them near a radiator, on a window sill or in a humid place. Do not remove tablets from the packaging until you are ready to take them.

If you want more information about Plavix:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html); the manufacturer’s website www.sanofi.ca, or by calling 1-800-265-7927.

Last Revised October 20, 2022