Plavix
Plavix questions and answers
Learn more about Plavix.
Q: What is the difference between anti-platelets (Plavix) and anti-thrombins?
If Anti-platelets are so effect, why are they not used instead of anti-thrombins in Deep Vein Thrombosis ? Seems like both prevents clotting.
Thank you
A: Plavix keeps platelets slippery and slick and prevents clots from forming. Aspirin is also an anti-platelet.
Anti-thrombins are sometimes called clot busters, because they work by dissolving a clot that is already formed.
Q: Are there any risks to discontinuing Plavix one year after having a stent implanted?
Would one be more susceptible to a stroke?
A: Yes and you risk developing a blood clot blocking off your stent and having a heart attack. Speak with your cardiologist first.
Q: How long should someone with a drug-coated stent take Plavix?
I have J&J's Cordis Cypher stent. I am 64 years old, received the stent 23 months ago, and have only one stent.
I also take one 81 mg. aspirin daily.
A: Many cardiologists recommend lifetime Plavix, as long as there are no adverse effects (financial or physical).
Q: Is it true Plavix can wash chlamydia out of a persons system?
This guy told me Plavix washed chlamydia out of his system..
but to me it sounds like he is lieing...
A: Plavix is ot the treatment of chlamydia
Doxycycline & Azithromycin are
Q: My husband has to take Plavix. Can he get it on the National Health in England and Wales?
He has 8 Stents and he was told that he would have to take Plavix for the rest of his life. We are moving from Spain to the UK and before I do so would like to know if we can get his medication.
A: Yes they certainly can. There is a lot of debate as to whether they need to be taken life long as long term data is really not yet available. Though many Trust pharmacists try and discourage their GPs not to use them long term, since evidence is sparse, many cardiologists in UK are also convinced they should not be stopped,
To help make life easier and reduce the risk that you end up with a debate it would be a good idea to get your Spanish Cardiologist to send a summary of your management with you, stressing that he feels that the clopidogrel should be continued indefinitely. Few will then feel they can risk changing the regime!
Q: How would it affect the hernia surgery if you are taking Plavix & Asperin?
Cardiologist says do not stop them.
A: You'll bleed like a stuck pig.
This is a discussion that your cardiologist needs to have with your surgeon, and then you need to do what they say. If you have stents, it may be riskier to stop the anti-platelet meds than to deal with the excess bleeding.
Q: is it safe to use Chickweed and take Plavix?
My mother has arthritis very bad and I was going to send her some chickweed. She takes plavix already. Can she take both. if not is there anything she can take for arthritis with the Plavix? the Dr's arthritis medicine is not working. thank you .
A: Plavix is a very potent blood thinner, I would run anything by her doctor before using it.
Q: Is there anything I can eat or drink that will offset the bruising caused by the medication Plavix.?
I have been on this medication for some months, I have noticed that the brusing over my entire body is increasing. The black & blue marks range in size to from very small to quite large. My arms & legs are especially affected. I have to wear long sleeve blouses because my arms look as if I've been beaten. My doctor says I have to learn to live with it. Any suggestions would be gratefully appreciated. I have tried various bruise reduction meds but they don't do any good.
A: I think I would get a second opinion from a specialist, like a cardiologist. It might mean your blood is getting to thin. Does your doctor have you do blood test often to see what your levels are? If not he should be.
Q: Why is emergency spelled weird in Plavix ads?
Emergency is always spelled really weird in those ads. Why?
A: Can you give an example of the weird spelling?
Q: Is nitrous oxode is better to prevent stroke or heart attack than Plavix?
I heard for its benefits a doctor has earned Nobel proce.
Is that true?
Oxide not oxode
A: I think you are referring to Nitric oxide and not Nitrous oxide, which have completely different uses. Nitrous oxide has no role in treating heart attacks or strokes. It has not been studied for this purpose and is certainly not approved for these reasons. Nitrous oxide is "laughing gas" which is used for general anesthesia mostly with dental procedures. Nitric oxide is a very unstable compound and is really never given as a medication with the exception of severe ARDS, which is another topic in itself. Instead, Nitric oxide is produced in the body from other drugs, such as Nitroglycerin, Isosorbide Mononitrate (Imdur), Isosorbide Dinitrate, etc. The most common form for heart attacks is Nitroglycerin.
Nitric oxide and Clopidogrel (Plavix) work in completely different ways and it is not really possible to compare these agents. Nitric oxide works by dilating blood vessels, which can improve the blood flow to the heart during a heart attack. Nitric oxide really has no role in treating strokes though. Clopidogrel (Plavix) works by preventing the formation of blood clots by preventing the cells in blood involved in clotting (Platelets) from clumping together. The current standard of care in treating a heart attack is to give Nitroglycerin if chest pain is still present AND a blood thinner like Aspirin and/or Plavix. So basically they are used together to treat a heart attack and you can't really say that one agent is better than the other, because they work in completely different ways. Nitroglycerin and Plavix are both associated with a reduction in death from the heart attack. Plavix is associated also with a reduction in future heart attacks and death from cardiovascular disease. In regards to stroke treatment, Nitric oxide has no role in treating strokes. Plavix is not really used for the treatment of an acute stroke, but can be used after a person had a stroke to reduce their chance of future heart attack and stroke.
Q: Is there a cheaper and comparable medicine other than plavix?
A: The Plavix patent was successfully defended in the US about a year ago. Clopidigrel is not available here.
Aggrenox is a comparable drug. It's expensive. It contains 200mg aspirin and 25 mg dipyridamole in an extended-release capsule, taken twice a day.
Ask your doctor about taking dipyridamole 100mg 4 times a day and any strength aspirin once a day. The anti-platelet effect of aspirin is very long-lasting so once a day is plenty.
You would need to take the dipyridamole 4 times a day as it is not extended-release.
This would, of course, be up to your doctor. He/she may not think it is as good as 1 Plavix a day, but might think it is okay if the alternative is nothing at all.
Bristol Meyers Squibb, the company that makes Plavix, offers a patient assistance program. There are income limits for this.
http://www.bmspaf.org/about.html
Q: How do I recieve free Plavix?
I am unemployed, uninsured and had a heart attack last Wednesday. I was given 5 pills by my pharmicist but need a larger supply to supplement the asperin regimen that is required by the doctors.
A: Talk to your doctor about it - there might be a government program that will help you with your medications. You can contact the manufacturer of Plavix - http://www.plavix.com/ - and see if the company offers a discount program for those in financial difficulties. Lots of pharmeceutical companies do. You can also ask your doctor to suggest a less expensive medication that might work just as well.
Good luck!