Clopidogrel

[Chegwin]

Hi Everyone

I had a suspected TIA in 2017 and was put on a number of tablets, atorvastatin, bisoprolol , amlodipine and Clopidogrel.

I’ve had no side effects until recently, maybe for the last six months I’ve been waking in the morning with blood in my spit / throat. It never seems to be in my mouth but if I spit a few times there are signs of blood, it’s not thick blood, just traces of blood.

This happens almost everyday.

I’ve spoken to the doctor and had a blood test and he says it’s normal, I appreciate I’ll now bleed easier than normal but surely this can’t be right ??

Does anyone else have this side affect whilst taking clopidogrel or any of the other mentioned drugs ?

Thanks

[MichaelJH Heart Star]

Hello and welcome to the forum!

Have you listed all the drugs you are on? With drugs like Aspirin and Clopidogrel it is usual to prescribe a stomach protector like Omeprazole or Lansoprazole. Also is there any chance of gum disease particularly towards the back teeth. Minor bleeding here can mimic bleeding from the stomach.

[Chegwin in reply to MichaelJH]

Hi Michael

I’m not on any other drugs than the ones mentioned.

I’m pretty sure there’s no gum disease. I floss every day and there isn’t any bleeding.

Thanks

[MichaelJH Heart Star in reply to Chegwin]

To prescribe Clopidogrel without a stomach protector is unusual. I suggest you contact your GP and ask about this.

[Chegwin in reply to MichaelJH]

Thanks Michael, appreciate the response

[Magicfairy]

Hi there, not in my throat, but at the back of my nose, blocked for the first 4 weeks of taking Clopidogrel, not free flow bleeding but small clots, was about to call the specialist nurse, then it cleared and haven’t had it since, been clear for two weeks now, strange side affect, and hope it doesn’t come back, hope yours clears up soon, take care.

[Chegwin in reply to Magicfairy]

That’s good to know

Thanks

[Rosei in reply to Chegwin]

I have been on Clopidogrel for three years after a heart attack, I have been absolutely fine. My only problem was with Aspirin and Atorvastin, the Aspirin caused Lymphocytic Colitis and my liver didn't like the statin.

[Debtyd]

Hiya,I'm on same meds since Oct 2020.ive found that i tend to bleed very slightly and couldn't tell you wether it was throat mouth lips tongue teeth or anywhere else.it maybe just our softer tissue like gums, are slightly more delicate .if it turns to fresh blood Ill just note it to gp. also I have recently noticed that i bruise so much more than I used to and I bruise easy anyway. I'm talking whoppers from small knocks and some other smaller random ones in random places that i don't realise are there so i couldn't possibly tell you when or how I got them.lol.on a serious note though,if you are worried just give pharmacist a quick call to see if anybody else has reported similar side effects.x

[Chegwin in reply to Debtyd]

Hi

Thanks I’ll speak to the pharmacist.

Do you notice the slight bleeding everyday or is it occasionally?

[Debtyd in reply to Chegwin]

Everyday lol it's the new norm for me x

[Qualipop]

I bruised like I'd been beaten up when on clopidogrel and my mouth bled every time I cleaned my teeth. As someone said you really ought to have a stomach protector like either famotidine or a PPI like omeprazole

[Debtyd in reply to Qualipop]

Apparently they prefer lansoprozole these days.which is what they've given me.

[Qualipop in reply to Debtyd]

True but there are alternatives and I'm seriously allergic to PPIs like Omeprazole or lansoprazole.

[curly-quavers]

HI THE NOSE BLEEDS ARE CAUSED AS YOUR TAKING BLOOD THINNERS. I HAVE NEVER HAD THIS BUT I DONT TAKE ALL OF WHAT YOU ARE TAKING. I TAKE LISPIROL AND AMLODIPINE AND AT FIRST WAS GETTING HEADACHES . MAYBE SPLIT THE TABLETS AND TAKE THEM DIFFERENT TIMES OF THE DAY WITH FOOD AND SEE IF THIS HELPS. BUT DONT WORRY AS THIS CAN HAPPEN. GOD BLESS.

[Debtyd in reply to curly-quavers]

You have to take thinners in the morning so they say..which is what I do with my bisoprolol and lanzoprozole and you shouldn't really break them in half unless you've been told you can safely do so xx

[Serga]

Hi Chegwin . Welcome to the forum. Im on the same meds as yourself pretty much. Couldn’t cope with Bisop so doctor changed me to Nebivolol, which I find more tolerable Thank you for sharing about the bleeding. I’ve been experiencing this too recently on and off. Streaks of blood in the morningfrom back of throat/nose. I found using salt spray helps........I’m just getting over COVID and haven’t had a chance to speak to my GP about my fears around the bleeding. So thank you for talking about it on here🙏. Feeling less alone now. Wishing you well for 2021 . Keep on keeping on x

[Chegwin]

Yes I’ve tried the salt spray but I find it quite painful, I’ll check if there is anything else similar on the market.

To everyone who has had frequent bleeding and thinking of speaking to your gp’s please let me know the outcome, If you don’t mind.

Thanks for your responses.