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Generic Plavix Clopidogrel
Plavix is a popular drug used to prevent potentially lethal blood clots from
forming within people who have recently experience a heart attack, stroke, or
severe chest pains that required hospitalization. It can also be used in people
who suffer from poor blood circulation.
Plavix is sold and taken in the tablet form once a day with or without food.
It's chemical name is clopidogrel bisulfate, and it is manufactured by
pharmaceutical company – Bristol-Myers Squibb in conjunction with Sanofi –
Aventis Pharmaceuticals.
Plavix works by affecting the platelets that are responsible for the clotting
of the blood. Platelets clump together to form clots that stop patients from
bleeding excessively when they are injured either internally or externally.
Plavix works by helping the platelets clump together to form more efficient
blood clotting and make the blood flow more smoothly.
Generic drugs are available once the patent for the original medication has
expired. Once the patent has expired other pharmaceutical companies can
manufacture and sell an equivalent medicine under a different name that is known
as a generic version of the original. These are subject to as strict standards
as the original medicines, and their quality is just as good. However, many
people favor them as they are much cheaper. They are so much cheaper because the
pharmaceutical company that produces generic medicines don't have to cover the
cost of the initial research and development of the product, saving them a lot
of money.
Unfortunately, Plavix's patent doesn't expire until 2011, so there are currently
no generic versions of the medicine available. However, once the patent runs out
in 2011 there will no doubt be a generic version released.
When taking Plavix, different people are prescribed different dosages depending
on several varying factors such as other medical conditions they may have and
other medications they are currently taking. For Plavix to work it must be taken
as prescribed. Plavix can interact with other medications, so it is important to
let your doctor know about all the medication that you take. Some of the
medicines it interacts with include: Warfarin, Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen, naproxen, meloxicam, nabumetone, phenytoin, and
tamoxifen.
Like with most drugs there are some side effects of Plavix, however most people
only experience very mild side effects. Some of the most common side effects
include: major bleeding (this is experienced by up to 3.7 per cent of users);
flu-like symptoms (experienced in up to 7.5 per cent of people); headache (up to
7.6 per cent); dizziness (up to 6.2 per cent); and pain ( up to 5.6 per cent of
users experiencing this).
Plavix can increase the risk of life-threatening bleeding, so any users
experiencing signs such as: bloody nose, black tarry stools, blood in the urine,
vomiting blood and red or purple spots on the skin should seek medical help
immediately.
There are also some more side effects that can be a result of using Plavix.
However, these are very rare and not many people experience them. Less than 2
per cent of users experience them. Some of the less common side effects include:
decreases in platelets; constipation; urinary tract infection; fatigue;
depression; anemia; difficulty breathing; thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura;
and stomach bleeding or ulcers.
Not everyone experiences side effects, and most users of Plavix never experience
any side effects. It is considered a relatively safe drug to use when used as
prescribed.
Before taking Plavix it is important to let your doctor know if you have any of
the following conditions as they may be adversely affected by Plavix: a bleeding
or blood disorder; liver disease; kidney disease; any allergies; active bleeding
anywhere within your body.
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