Aspirin + Clopidogrel
Introduction To Aspirin + Clopidogrel
Aspirin + Clopidogrel is a combination of two antiplatelet medicines or blood thinner used to reduce the formation of harmful blood clots in blood vessels. This helps to prevent a heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease.
Aspirin + Clopidogrel should be taken with food regularly at a fixed time each day. You should take it regularly at evenly spaced intervals as per the schedule prescribed by your doctor. Taking it at the same time every day will help you remember to take it. The dose and duration of treatment will depend on what you are being treated for. Do not stop taking it until you have finished the complete course, even when you feel better. Lifestyle changes like low-fat diet, exercise and not smoking may help this medicine to work better.
Abdominal pain, indigestion, bruising, and nosebleeds are some common side effects of this medicine. This medicine increases your risk of bleeding, so it is important to be careful while shaving, cutting nails and using sharp objects. Usually, it is advisable to avoid alcohol intake while taking this medicine.
Before taking this medicine, tell your doctor if you have any liver or kidney disease. You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding. You should also let your healthcare team know all other medicines you are taking as they may affect, or be affected by this medicine.
Uses of Aspirin + Clopidogrel
- Prevention of heart attack and stroke
Benefits of Aspirin + Clopidogrel
Prevention of heart attack and stroke
Aspirin + Clopidogrel is a combination of two antiplatelet medicines or blood thinners.
It prevents blood from clotting inside the veins and arteries. This helps the
blood flow freely around your body thereby preventing a heart attack or stroke
(or deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism). Both these medicines together
prevent the formation of blood clots and also prevent the existing ones from
growing bigger in size. Take it regularly and make appropriate lifestyle
changes (such as eating healthy and staying active) to maximize the
effectiveness of this medicine. Keep taking it even if you feel well.
Side effects of Aspirin + Clopidogrel
Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them
Common side effects of Clopilet A
- Abdominal pain
- Bruise
- Diarrhea
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Increased bleeding tendency
- Nosebleeds
How to use Aspirin + Clopidogrel
Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Aspirin + Clopidogrel is to be taken with food.
How Aspirin + Clopidogrel works
Aspirin + Clopidogrel is a combination of two antiplatelet medicines: Aspirin and Clopidogrel which prevent heart attack. They work by preventing the platelets from sticking together and decrease the formation of harmful blood clots.
Quick tips
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You have been prescribed Aspirin + Clopidogrel to lower your risk of heart attack and stroke.
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Take it with food to avoid an upset stomach.
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It increases your risk of bleeding. Be careful while shaving, cutting fingernails or toenails or using sharp objects.
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Let your doctor know you are taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel before undergoing any surgical procedure.
Safety Advice
PregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Aspirin + Clopidogrel if I’m pregnant?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel is unsafe to use during pregnancy as there is definite evidence of risk to the developing baby. However, the doctor may rarely prescribe it in some life-threatening situations if the benefits are more than the potential risks. Please consult your doctor.
BreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR
Can I take Aspirin + Clopidogrel if I’m breastfeeding?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby.
AlcoholUNSAFE
Is drinking alcohol while taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel safe?
It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Aspirin + Clopidogrel.
DrivingUNSAFE
Can I drive after taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.
KidneyCAUTION
Can I take Aspirin + Clopidogrel if I have/had kidney diseases?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel should be used with caution in patients with kidney disease. Dose adjustment of Aspirin + Clopidogrel may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Aspirin + Clopidogrel is not recommended in patients with severe kidney disease.
LiverCAUTION
Can I take Aspirin + Clopidogrel if I have/had liver diseases?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel should be used with caution in patients with liver disease. Dose adjustment of Aspirin + Clopidogrel may be needed. Please consult your doctor. Use of Aspirin + Clopidogrel is not recommended in patients with severe liver disease.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Why have I been prescribed Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
You may have been prescribed Aspirin + Clopidogrel if you had a heart attack, were treated with stents in your coronary arteries, or had coronary artery bypass graft surgery (CABG).
Q. Is Aspirin + Clopidogrel a blood thinner?
Yes, Aspirin + Clopidogrel is a type of blood thinner. It works by preventing platelets (type of blood cells) from sticking together and forming clots. This action of Aspirin + Clopidogrel helps in preventing conditions like heart attack or stroke in people with heart disease, who have recently suffered a heart attack or severe heart-related chest pain (unstable angina).
Q. How long do I need to take Aspirin + Clopidogrel after stent insertion?
Your doctor will suggest the exact duration for which you may have to take Aspirin + Clopidogrel. The duration will be decided after considering various factors like the illness you are being treated for, type of stent inserted, any episodes of bleeding experienced by you during treatment, etc. Usually, Aspirin + Clopidogrel is prescribed for a minimum duration of 1 year. However, it is advised to follow your doctor's advice precisely to get maximum benefit of Aspirin + Clopidogrel. Do not stop the medication on your own, consult your doctor first. Sudden discontinuation may increase the chances of clot formation in the stent, heart attack and can even lead to death.
Q. Can I drink alcohol while taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
It is not advised to take alcohol while taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel, as alcohol may increase your chance of stomach bleeding. As a result, you may vomit blood (which may be bright red blood or black/dark brown like coffee grounds) or you may have bloody or black tarry stools. Discuss with your doctor if you are not sure.
Q. What is the most important information I need to know about Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel may cause serious or life-threatening bleeding. Moreover, you may bruise easily and it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop even if you have a minor injury like a small cut while shaving. Get emergency medical help if you notice excessive or prolonged bleeding. You should inform your doctor if you notice black tarry stools or if there is blood in the urine. Be vigilant on any signs of stroke such as sudden numbness or weakness (one side or both sides of the body), difficulty walking, mental confusion, slurred speech, dizziness and any unexplained headache. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop any such signs of stroke as stroke is an uncommon side effect of Aspirin + Clopidogrel and needs urgent medical attention as it can otherwise be fatal.
Q. Do I need to stop Aspirin + Clopidogrel before surgery?
Your doctor will decide whether you need to stop taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel before any surgery or treatment or not. Usually, if a surgery or treatment is planned beforehand, the doctor may stop Aspirin + Clopidogrel a few days (usually 7 days) before the surgery or treatment owing to the increased risk of bleeding during the procedure. You should not stop taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel on your own without discussing it with your doctor.
Q. Who should not take Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
Aspirin + Clopidogrel is not recommended for people who are allergic to it or any of its ingredients. Do not take Aspirin + Clopidogrel if you have or ever had severe liver disease, stomach ulcers, bleeding in the brain (stroke or a transient ischemic attack, also known as TIA), or if you have a bleeding disorder known as hemophilia (disease in which blood does not clot normally). Additionally, avoid taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel if you are trying to get pregnant, already pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Q. What if I forget to take a dose of Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
If you forget to take a dose of Aspirin + Clopidogrel, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next scheduled dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one as this may increase the chances of developing side effects.
Q. What should I avoid while taking Aspirin + Clopidogrel?
Avoid activities that may increase your chances of bleeding. Be extra careful while shaving or brushing your teeth to prevent bleeding. Also, you should avoid taking painkillers, but if you need to take one like ibuprofen for joint pain, headache, backache, etc. then consult your doctor first. This is because taking pain killers with Aspirin + Clopidogrel may increase your chances of developing a stomach ulcer and bleeding. Refrain from taking excessive alcohol with Aspirin + Clopidogrel as it can irritate your stomach and lead to a stomach ulcer as well.
References
Written By:
Dr Advikka Ridhy
MBBS
RMO, Aster MIMS
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