About Clopilet 75 Tablet
Clopilet 75 Tablet contains Clopidogrel 75 mg. This medicine is used to prevent blood clots in people who have had a heart attack, stroke or a stent placed in a heart artery, or who have narrowed arteries in the legs. It makes platelets (tiny blood cells that help clotting) less sticky. Because it thins the blood, it increases the risk of bleeding. Do not stop it without your doctor's advice.
Uses of Clopilet 75 Tablet
- Prevention of heart attack and stroke after a recent heart attack, stroke or angina
- After a stent is placed in a heart artery (often with aspirin)
- Narrowed arteries in the legs (peripheral arterial disease)
Benefits
In preventing heart attack and stroke
By making blood clots less likely to form, it lowers the chance of another heart attack or stroke, and helps keep stents open. You will not feel it working, so keep taking it.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Bruising easily
- Nosebleeds
- Diarrhoea
- Stomach pain or indigestion
Get medical help if you notice
- Signs of bleeding: black or tarry stools, blood in urine, vomiting blood, coughing up blood, nosebleeds or bleeding gums that do not stop, or unusual bruising — get medical help straight away
- Sudden severe headache, weakness, confusion or trouble speaking — seek emergency care
- Fever, extreme tiredness, yellowing of skin or eyes and small purple spots on the skin (a rare blood disorder) — get medical help straight away
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, usually once a day at the same time. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food.
How it works
It blocks a receptor on platelets called P2Y12. This stops platelets clumping together to form clots inside blood vessels.
Safety advice
Alcohol Caution
Keep alcohol to a minimum. It can increase the risk of stomach bleeding.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
Breastfeeding is usually not advised while taking it. Ask your doctor.
Driving Safe
It is not expected to affect driving.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in kidney disease, as the risk of bleeding may be higher.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease. It should not be used in severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose and remember within 12 hours, take it straight away. If more than 12 hours have passed, skip it and take the next dose at the usual time. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not stop it without talking to your doctor — stopping early, especially after a stent, can cause a heart attack.
- Tell your dentist and any doctor that you take it before a procedure or surgery.
- Avoid painkillers such as ibuprofen or diclofenac unless your doctor says they are safe.
- Ask your doctor before taking omeprazole or esomeprazole for acidity.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Thienopyridine
- Therapeutic class
- Cardiovascular / blood
- Action class
- P2Y12 inhibitor (antiplatelet)
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Omeprazole and esomeprazole | May reduce the effect of clopidogrel |
| NSAID painkillers (such as ibuprofen, diclofenac) | Higher risk of bleeding |
| Warfarin and other blood thinners | Higher risk of bleeding |
| SSRI antidepressants (such as fluoxetine, sertraline) | Higher risk of bleeding |
| Repaglinide | Levels of repaglinide may rise, causing low blood sugar |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Clopidogrel prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: clopidogrel). Pharmacist review pending.