 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 from occurring and is prescribed for people who face an increased risk for heart attacks and strokes. If you're taking Plavix, you should check with your doctor before taking over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers containing nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (brand names Motrin, Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis), or naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn). Using these pain relievers with Plavix can increase your risk for bleeding. You may safely take acetaminophen (Tylenol) products occasionally for minor aches and pains. The prescription drug warfarin (brand name Coumadin) may also interact with Plavix, resulting in an increased risk of bleeding. It's important for your doctor to know if you're also taking other drugs, including phenytoin (Dilantin), tamoxifen (Nolvadex), tolbutamide (Orinase), torsemide (Demadex), or fluvastatin (Lescol). Plavix can increase the levels of these drugs in the body, possibly resulting in side effects. Your doctor may need to adjust your dose of these drugs if you're also taking Plavix. Several herbs and supplements can also interact with Plavix, increasing the risk of bleeding. They include dong quai, feverfew, garlic, ginger, ginkgo, ginseng, smartweed, and St. John's wort. Be sure to check with your doctor before taking any medications, herbal remedies, or supplements with Plavix. 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.
Hansten, P.D., J.R. Horn. Drug Interactions Analysis and Management. Applied Therapeutics, 2000.
Advice for the Patient: Drug Information in Lay Language. Micromedex, Inc., 1999.
Drug Facts and Comparisons, Facts & Comparisons, 2006.
Plavix Product Information, Bristol-Myers Squibb/Sanofi Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 2006.
This answer prepared 12/13/2000.
This information updated 2/6/2007.
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