Clopidogrel withdrawal

[Cazbo27]

I went off Clopidogrel on Saturday after being on it since April 21. I’ve had some sharp pains this afternoon in my head and chest. Is this withdrawal effects?

[Blackcatsooty]

I did a ten week trial, with my GPSs supervision, which involved a five week break from Clopidogrel. I got no aches nor pains. In fact it proved to me that this drug was not the cause of my many issues.I did, however., take low dose aspirin in place of the clopidogrel.

[Heather1957]

I was on Clopidogrel from 2017 to Oct last year when I was put on other blood thinners and I didn't have any effects from coming off it. Thankfully after 6 months I went back on as the side effects from the new thinners were awful.

[santisuk]

I've just quickly scanned Google search results for "stopping clopidogrel". Perhaps do the same a bit more thoroughly. I found no references to your experience.

Sharp pains in the head and chest? I'd be on my way to A&E (after a bit more research if you can do it - go anyway if not) if I was you and if my GP or specialist could not see me today.

[Cazbo27 in reply to santisuk]

I have googled it. I think it was a bit of angina.

[MountainGoat52]

I was on Clopidogrel for a year after my bypass op. No issues when it was stopped.

[richard_jw]

Clopidogrel is an anti platelet med not so very different to aspirin in its effect. I came off it a few months ago and started taking 75mg aspirin with no side effects. If you are suffering chest pains, it could be angina possibly because you have stopped taking an anti platelet. You really should either see a GP or go to A&E

[Heather1957 in reply to richard_jw]

I wonder if this is why I had no problems as when I stopped taking Clopidogrel in October they put me on a new thinner PLUS aspirin which may have stopped any possible side withdrawal effects.

[Cazbo27 in reply to Heather1957]

So what other thinner have you been put on? I have only seen my doctor last week to see if I should go off Clopidogrel as stated on the discharge letter I had after my stents, last July. Have seen cardiologist although I was due to see him in June, I have no idea when I will have an appointment.

[Heather1957 in reply to Cazbo27]

I was put on Ticagrelor and aspirin and it was supposed to be for 12 months. I suffered breathlessness with Ticagrelor really really badly so was taken off them and back on Clopidogrel which after 4 years was just fine.

[Qualipop]

You shouldn't get withdrawal symptoms from clopidogrel. I didn't even notice I'd stopped it.

[Cazbo27]

I’m ok today, it was angina, might of just triggered it or something else may of done.

[AlfredV]

Sorry for your troubles. I sort of had the opposite. Clopidogrel caused me all sorts of problems for the 6 months I was on it. I did try a switch to ticagrelor which for me was even worse. Within a few weeks of stopping clopidogrel I started to improve.

[Alig66 in reply to AlfredV]

What problems did you have with Clopidogrel?

[AlfredV in reply to Alig66]

It was systemic, and may be specific to me as I seem to react similarly to many medications. Problems included gastro-intestinal IBS like symptoms, constipation, peripheral neuropathy (burning hands/feet), joint pain, facial flushing. It took several weeks off the clopidogrel for these symptoms to settle down.

[Cazbo27]

So are you just on aspirin now?

[AlfredV in reply to Cazbo27]

I was on aspirin until I took myself off it (against medical advice). I tapered to zero to coincide with 2 years following my stent. I am currently med free. Obviously I wouldn't recommend changing any meds without discussing it with your GP first.

[Cazbo27]

Wow that’s brilliant. Do you take supplements like turmeric for example instead?

[AlfredV in reply to Cazbo27]

No, as I tend to react badly to most supplements. It is a bit of a minefield for me. I eat a very clean diet, maintain a healthy weight and make sure I consume foods daily that help to "thin" the blood - garlic (raw and cooked), ginger, low omega 6/high omega 3, foods with decent vitamin e content. I've also reduced my body fat from a high of 35% to around 20% which is where I feel comfortable. BMI now hovers between 22-23.

[Cazbo27]

That is great, I have started researching natural blood thinners too.