Get Informed: Plavix
Active Ingredient(s)
Clopidogrel
What does it do?
This product is primarily used in patients with a past history of heart disease, peripheral vascular disease and stroke to reduce the risk of developing further cardiovascular problems. It works by reducing platelet clotting activity and helps to prevent clots.
- Last Text Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 7:11 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:52 PM
Other Names
- Plavix
- Clopidogrel
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- B
- Black Box Warning:
- No
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 17 Nov 1997
- Est US Patients*
- 3,440,000
- Generic Available
- No
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Plavix or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Plavix Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Plavix interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Plavix used for?
iGuard.org is currently tracking more than 20,100 patients that use Plavix (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| Blood Thinners | 80% | 
|
| Heart Disease Prevention | 25% | 
|
| Stroke | 2% |
|
| Other | 5% |
|
How well does Plavix work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 20,100 users taking Plavix (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 80%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Plavix outweigh the bad things.
- 19%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Plavix.
Common Side Effects of Plavix
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 20,100 users taking Plavix (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
35% of patients experience side-effects on Plavix
3% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Plavix
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Bruising
-
Bleeding
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Abdominal Pain, Anemia, Chest Pain/Tightness, Cold Sensitivity, Diarrhea, Drowsiness, Dry Mouth, Elevated Heart Rate, Fatigue, Gout, Headache, Heartburn/Reflux, Increased Infections, Itch/Rash, Nose Bleeds, Shortness of Breath
Global Patient Feedback for Plavix (Clopidogrel) ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
My doctor has switched from plavix to zetia as the plavix was causing muscle weakness and leg pain. I have been off it for about two months now, and cholesterol level at last blood test with the zetia is 187.
64 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-18 23:00:44
Question/Comment:
There are generic drugs of Plavix in market. How can you tell whether a generic drug is as effective as the original? If I take a statin to control my cholesterol level, I can check my cholesterol level regularly. What should I check in order to see the effect of a generic drug of Plavix vs Plavix itself?
53 year old Male
Posted: 2009-10-09 12:07:23
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
At this time there is not a generic for Plavix available in the U.S. market. When a generic is approved by the FDA, the generic manufacturer is responsible for performing the tests to prove that the generic product contains the same amount of active ingredient as the brand name product.
Posted: 2009-10-20 01:15:02
Question/Comment:
age 71 female Where can I get free Plavix,, I have just gone on plavix, I had a free sample for 14 pills, I now must use health insurance ,have not met my dedectable, , My pharmacist will fill my order by 1/2 and the premium would be $87.00 for 15 pills. I understand a presc. is 200.00 ? CAN YOU HELP ME?
72 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-18 09:39:31
Answer/Reply:
CALL BRISTOL MYERS SQUIBB @ 800736 0003, IF YOU ARE LOW INCOME AND OVER 65 THEY WILL HELP
74 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-19 11:59:06
Answer/Reply:
I think i can solve your problem.
i have been on plavix for the past 15 years,i have coverage through my wifes insurance and i pay 1.00 a pill for 75 mg.
the reason for this is i go through mail claims.
which means i get prescriptions from the doctor for 3 month intervals for a year,thats how her plan works.
you should see if you can do that.
also what you can do is,if you have access to walmart go to their drug store department,just hand the pharmasist your prescription and ask how much it will cost if you dont have insurance.
walmart doesnt want insurance companies paying for the medication and i have found out this is a much cheaper way of getting prescripts filled,they dont have every prescription but they do have most.
i know for a fact they dont have lipitor,thats another expensive drug i have to take.
but i just found out that in a few weeks,lipitor will have a generac brand...finally.
i hope this helps you,good luck and god bless.
Mark B. Parkesburg,Pa.
54 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-24 17:49:15
Question/Comment:
Is there any evidence that Plavix works just as well at lower dosages? Or every other day?
I am very sensitive to medications and have lowered lipitor to half of the lowest dosage (5 mg) and atenolol to half of the lowest dosage (12.5 mg).
71 year old Male
Posted: 2009-09-07 17:01:44
Answer/Reply:
Good question. I am 70, more than a year ago had 4 stents put in, fine health now, can i reduce Plavix? Say take a half tablet each day?
71 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-14 06:31:55
Question/Comment:
I am a 62 yr.old female that has been on Plavix & "baby aspirin" I bruise, but nearly as muc when I did while taking coumadin. I'm going to ceck with my Dr. about taking Plavix every other day & on te off day just taking a low dose aspirin. Someone mentioned being able to get their Plavix free by just filling out a form. Where are these forms available? I'm also on Depakote for te treatment of migraines. They have a program for getting free Depakote.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-08-21 02:45:14
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
65
Patient Comments about
Plavix