Generic Name

Dosage Form

Strength and Dosage

Therapeutic Category

Product Description

You have been prescribed Clopidogrel to help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of these severe events because:
– You have a condition of hardening of arteries (also known as atherosclerosis), and
– You have previously experienced a heart attack, stroke or have a condition known as peripheral arterial disease, or
– You have experienced a severe type of chest pain known as ‘unstable angina’ or ‘myocardial infarction’ (heart attack). For the treatment of this condition your doctor may have placed a stent in the blocked or narrowed artery to restore effective blood flow. You should also be given acetylsalicylic acid
(a substance present in many medicines used to relieve pain and lower fever as well as to prevent blood clotting) by your doctor.
– You have an irregular heartbeat, a condition called ‘atrial fibrillation’, and you cannot take medicines known as ‘oral anticoagulants’ (vitamin K antagonists) which prevent new clots from forming and prevent existing clots from growing. You should have been told that ‘oral anticoagulants’ are more effective than acetylsalicylic acid or the combined use of Clopidogrel and acetylsalicylic acid for this condition. Your doctor should have prescribed Clopidogrel plus acetylsalicylic acid if you cannot take ‘oral anticoagulants’ and you do not have a risk of major bleeding.

Do not take Clopidogrel
– If you are allergic (hypersensitive) to clopidogrel or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).
– If you have a medical condition that is currently causing bleeding such as a stomach ulcer or bleeding within the brain;
– If you suffer from severe liver disease.
If you think any of these apply to you, or if you are in any doubt at all, consult your doctor before taking Clopidogrel.

WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS

HOW TO TAKE CLOPIDOGREL

If you have any further questions on the use of this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist or nurse.
Like all medicines, this medicine can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention:
• Very common (affects more than 1 user in 10)
• Common (affects 1 to 10 users in 100)
• Uncommon (affects 1 to 10 users in 1,000)
• Rare (affects 1 to 10 users in 10,000)
• Very rare (affects less than 1 user in 10,000)
• Not known (frequency cannot be estimated from the available data)
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
– Fever, signs of infection or extreme tiredness. These may be due to rare decrease of some blood cells.
– Signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the skin and/or the eyes (jaundice), whether or not associated with bleeding which appears under the skin as red pinpoint dots and/or confusion (see section 2 `Warnings and precautions’).
– Swelling in the mouth or skin disorders such as rashes and itching, blisters of the skin. These may be the signs of an allergic reaction.

The most common side effect reported with clopidogrel is bleeding.
Bleeding may occur as bleeding in the stomach or bowels, bruising, haematoma (unusual bleeding or bruising under the skin), nose bleed, blood in the urine. In a small number of cases, bleeding in the eye, inside the head, the lung or the joints has also been reported.
If you experience prolonged bleeding when taking Clopidogrel
If you cut or injure yourself, it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop. This is linked to the way your medicine works as it prevents the ability of blood clots to form. For minor cuts and injuries e.g., cutting yourself, shaving, this is usually of no concern. However, if you are concerned by your bleeding, you should contact your doctor straightaway (see section 2 ‘Warnings and precautions’).

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS

HOW TO STORE CLOPIDOGREL

Contents of the pack and other information