Sandoz Clopidogrel: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Sandoz Clopidogrel used for?

• Sandoz Clopidogrel 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)).
• Sandoz Clopidogrel is also used in adults who have atrial fibrillation (irregular heartbeat) and cannot take medicines known as oral anticoagulants.

How does Sandoz Clopidogrel work?

Sandoz Clopidogrel tablets belong 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 Sandoz Clopidogrel help prevent this clumping and reduce the chance of blood clots forming.

What are the ingredients in Sandoz Clopidogrel?

Medicinal ingredient: Clopidogrel bisulfate

Non-medicinal ingredients: Hydrogenated vegetable oil, hypromellose, low substituted hydroxypropylcellulose, mannitol, microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, red iron oxide and titanium dioxide.

Sandoz Clopidogrel comes in the following dosage form:

Tablets, 75 mg.

Do not use Sandoz Clopidogrel if you:

• 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 Sandoz Clopidogrel. 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 blood clotting, such as warfarin, heparin, abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban;
  • 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.
• have kidney problems.

• are pregnant or become pregnant while taking Sandoz Clopidogrel.

• 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 Sandoz Clopidogrel for 5-7 days before your surgery.
• have allergies to medications, including prasugrel or ticlopidine.

Other warnings you should know about:

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

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

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

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 Sandoz Clopidogrel:

• Aspirin (ASA), used to treat pain, fever and inflammation.
• 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 Sandoz Clopidogrel, 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 clotting, such as heparin, warfarin, abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban.
• Antacids, such as omeprazole, used for indigestion or heartburn.
• Repaglinide, used to lower blood glucose.
• Paclitaxel, used to treat many types of cancer.
• Rifampin, an antibiotic used to treat severe infections.

How to take Sandoz Clopidogrel:

Sandoz Clopidogrel 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. Sandoz Clopidogrel should be taken long term, under the supervision of your healthcare professional.

Usual adult dose:

You should take one 75 mg tablet of Sandoz Clopidogrel 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 Sandoz Clopidogrel 75 mg once daily in combination with ASA 75-100 mg once daily.

Overdose:

Missed dose:

If you forget to take a dose of Sandoz Clopidogrel, 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.

What are possible side effects from using Sandoz Clopidogrel?

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Sandoz Clopidogrel. 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.

Sandoz Clopidogrel 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

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

Reporting Side Effects

Storage:

Store between 15 and 30°C

Sandoz Clopidogrel 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 Sandoz Clopidogrel:

• 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://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/index-eng.jsp); the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca or by calling 1-800-361-3062.

Last Revised: May 20, 2021