Consumer Medicine Information
Plavix* Tablets
Clopidogrel
Please read this leaflet carefully before you start taking Plavix. You may wish to keep it to read again.
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Plavix tablets.
It does not contain all the available information. Some of the information it contains may not apply to you.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have benefits and risks. In deciding to give you Plavix, your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking Plavix against the expected benefits it will have for you.
Always follow the instructions that your doctor and pharmacist give you about Plavix tablets.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What is Plavix used for
Plavix contains the medicine clopidogrel. Plavix belongs to a group of medicines called anti-platelet medicines.
Platelets are very small blood cells which clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, anti-platelet medicines reduce the chances of blood clots forming (a process called thrombosis).
Plavix is used to prevent blood clots forming in hardened blood vessels (a process known as atherothrombosis) which can lead to events such as stroke, heart attack or death.
You may have been prescribed Plavix to help prevent blood clots forming and to reduce the risk of stroke, heart attack and death because:
- You have previously suffered a heart attack, stroke or have a condition known as peripheral arterial disease (leg pain on walking or at rest).
- You have suffered Acute Coronary Syndrome (either a severe type of chest pain called unstable angina, or a heart attack). In this case you may also be prescribed aspirin.
Your doctor may have prescribed this medicine for another use. If you want more information, ask your doctor.
Plavix is only available on a doctor's prescription.
Before you take Plavix
When you must not take it
You should not take Plavix if:
- you are allergic to clopidogrel or any of the ingredients listed under 'Product Description' at the end of this leaflet.
- you have a medical condition that is causing bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding within your head.
- you suffer from severe liver disease.
- you are breastfeeding or intend to breastfeed. Plavix passes into breast milk and, therefore, there is the possibility that the breastfed baby may be affected.
- the packaging shows signs of tampering.
- the expiry date on the pack has passed. If you use this product after the expiry date has passed, it may not work.
Do not take Plavix to treat any other complaint unless your doctor says it is safe. Do not give this medicine to anyone else.
Plavix is not recommended for children as its safety and effectiveness in children have not been established.
Before you start to take Plavix
You must tell your doctor if:
- You are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Your doctor will discuss the possible risks and benefits of taking Plavix during pregnancy.
- You are planning to have an operation (including dental surgery) in the next two weeks. Your doctor will decide whether or not you need to stop Plavix prior to surgery.
- If you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the
following:
- bleeding disorders or blood clotting problems
- any illness or disability that was caused by bleeding, for example impaired sight or vision because of bleeding within the eye
- recent serious injury
- recent surgery (including dental surgery)
- any form of liver disease
If you have not told your doctor about any of the above, tell him/her before you start taking Plavix.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food store.
Some medicines and Plavix may interfere with each other. These include:
- medicines that "thin the blood". The most common examples of these include aspirin, heparins and warfarin. There are others so please check with your doctor.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) -medicines used to treat arthritis, period pain, aches and pains.
- phenytoin - a medicine used to treat epilepsy
- tolbutamide - a medicine used to treat diabetes
- tamoxifen - a medicine used to treat breast cancer
- fluvastatin - a medicine used to lower cholesterol.
These medicines may be affected by Plavix or affect how well Plavix works.
Your doctor may need to change the amount of your medicines, or you may need to take different medicines.
If you are unsure about any medicine you are taking you should check with your doctor or pharmacist. They will have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Plavix.
How to take Plavix
How to take it
Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day. Take Plavix only as prescribed by your doctor and follow his or her directions carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
The usual dose of Plavix is one 75 mg tablet daily.
If you are prescribed Plavix for the treatment of Acute Coronary Syndrome, you will receive a starting dose of four 75 mg tablets), then one 75 mg tablet daily.
You can take Plavix before or after meals. You should swallow the tablet with a glass of water.
Take Plavix at about the same time each day. Taking your tablet at the same time each day will have the best effect. It will also help you to remember when to take it.
You should take Plavix for as long as your doctor continues to prescribe it.
If you forget to take Plavix
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
If you take too much (overdose)
Immediately telephone your doctor or the Poisons Information Centre in Australia (13 11 26) or the National Poisons Information Centre in NZ (telephone 0800 POISON or 0800 764 766), or go to the Accident and Emergency Department at your nearest hospital, if you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much Plavix. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
While you are taking Plavix
Things you must do
- Take Plavix exactly as your doctor has prescribed, and have any blood tests promptly if your doctor orders them.
- Tell your doctor if you become pregnant while taking Plavix.
- Tell your doctor if you decide to breastfeed your baby. Your doctor may want to discuss this and change your medicine.
- Tell your doctor that you are taking Plavix if you are about to start on any new medicine.
- Tell all your doctors, dentists, nurses and pharmacists that you are taking Plavix. Plavix may increase the risk of bleeding during an operation or some dental work. Therefore, treatment may need to be stopped before surgery. Your doctor will decide whether to stop Plavix and if so, how long before surgery or dental work.
- Ask you doctor whether there are any activities you should avoid while taking Plavix, for example certain sports. Sometimes after an injury bleeding may occur inside your body without you knowing about it.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you are injured while taking Plavix. It may take longer than usual to stop bleeding while you are taking Plavix.
- Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
- abnormal bruising or bleeding
- abnormal nose bleeds
- bloody or black bowel motions
- red or purple blotches on your skin
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty swallowing or breathing (see also 'Side effects' section)
Do not suddenly stop taking Plavix without telling your doctor.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Plavix affects you.
As with other medicines, Plavix may cause faintness or dizziness in some people. Make sure you know how you react to Plavix before you drive a car or operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are faint or dizzy. If this occurs, do not drive. If you drink alcohol, faintness or dizziness may be worse.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Plavix tablets.
Like other medicines, Plavix can cause some side effects. Most are likely to be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
Tell your doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- diarrhoea
- itching
- pain or stiffness in the joints
- things taste different.
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any of the following: (NOTE: If you take both Plavix and aspirin the risk of side effects related to bleeding may be increased.)
- bloody or black bowel motions
- diarrhoea with blood, mucus, stomach pain and fever
- abdominal or stomach pain
- vomiting of blood or vomit that looks like coffee grounds
- coughing up blood
- blood in the urine
- blood in the eyes
- unusually heavy bleeding or oozing from cuts or wounds
- bleeding (including nose bleeds) or bruising more easily than normal
- unusually heavy or unexpected menstrual bleeding
- numbness (paralysis) or problems with co-ordination
- nausea or vomiting
- faintness or dizziness
- light-headedness or blurred vision
- slurred speech or other difficulty in speaking
- headache (severe and continuing)
- confusion or hallucinations
- fever or other signs of infection, such as a sore throat
- rash or hives
- chills, sweating or clammy skin
- fever, muscle weakness, loss of appetite and fatigue
- muscle pain
- weight loss
- anaemia (being tired and looking pale)
- red or purple spots visible through your skin
- itching, inflamed, cracking or red skin
- tightness of the chest, wheezing, coughing or difficulty breathing
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes, pale stools and dark urine with vomiting and stomach pain
- swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue or throat which may cause difficulty in swallowing or breathing.
These could be more serious side effects - you may need urgent medical attention.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. Tell your doctor if you notice any other effects.
Do not be alarmed by this list of side effects. Most people do not experience any of them.
After using Plavix
Storage
Keep your tablets in the blister pack until it is time to take them. If you take your tablets out of the box or blister pack they will not keep well.
Keep Plavix in a cool, dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines. Do not leave Plavix in the car on hot days.
Do not store Plavix or any other medication in the bathroom or near a sink.
Keep Plavix where young children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one and a half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor tells you to stop taking Plavix, ask your pharmacist what to do with any tablets that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Plavix comes as pink round tablets with '75' engraved on one side and '1171' on the other. AUST R 78622.
A box contains 28 tablets.
Ingredients
Active Ingredient:
- clopidogrel 75 mg
Other Ingredients:
- mannitol
- macrogol 6000
- microcrystalline cellulose
- hydrogenated castor oil
- hydroxypropylcellulose
- hypromellose
- lactose
- titanium dioxide
- glycerol triacetate
- red iron oxide
- carnauba wax
Manufacturer
sanofi-aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113
Australia
sanofi-aventis new zealand limited
Level 8, James & Wells Tower
56 Cawley Street
Ellerslie
Auckland
Phone: (09) 580 1810
This leaflet was prepared in March 2008.
* Plavix is a registered trademark of sanofi-aventis.