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What is Plavix?

Blood clots can trigger heart attacks and strokes when they form in blood vessels leading to the heart or brain. Plavix (generic name clopidogrel) helps prevent these harmful blood clots and is prescribed for people who face an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes.

Plavix works by interfering with the activity of platelets, the blood components that clump together to form clots. Other drugs commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots include low-dose aspirin and warfarin (brand name Coumadin).

If you forget a dose of Plavix, take it as soon as you remember that day. But never take two doses at once.

Sources:
Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. W. B. Saunders Company, 1997.
Cecil Textbook of Medicine. W. B. Saunders Company, 2000.
Micromedex® Healthcare Series. Thomson Micromedex, 2006.
Plavix Product Information. Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals Inc., 2006.
Advice for the Patient: Drug Information in Lay Language. Micromedex, Inc., 1999.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.

This answer prepared 12/13/2000.
This information updated 2/6/2007.