Hi all I had a stent fitted 16 May 23. As is the norm I was prescribed Clopidogrel which I cannot tolerate due to dreadful gut and bowel issues which is a nightmare. Was prescribed Lansoprazole to counteract these issues only had some minor improvement. Literally, I am afraid to eat anymore. A morsel of food has not passed my lips today which helps keep some of gut symptoms away. Prior to taking Clopidogrel I have never had problems with my gut before. I also take Amiodarone and apixiban.
Please does anyone know if there is an alternative medication to Clopidagrel that does not play havoc with digestive tract and stomach?
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DizzyD
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hi a pharmacist or your GP will be best placed to advice on an alternative that would be best in your particular circumstances. Have they advised any alternatives? Or GP could help purse why getting such symptoms?
Avoid the combined use of clopidogrel with omeprazole or esomeprazole due to a significant interaction. Other PPIs (Lansoprazole) are considered safe with clopidogrel.
I was on duel Aspirin and Clopidogrel plus Lansoprazole after double bypass 12 months ago, I have just stopped the Clopidogrel as per my cardiologist. I was on Esomeprazole prior to being prescribed Clopidogrel but changed to Lansoprazole due to the interaction.
Hi DizzyAs already mentioned discuss with your GP and don't be fobbed off. I experienced bad stomach problems with clopidogrel and lansoprazole didn't help. I changed to ticagrelor and the problems went.
Will do Nathan asap getting to see GP is a nightmare. I will request ticagrelor when I manage to get an appointment. I have not taken the PPI or Clopidogrel today but did take 75mg of aspirin to play it safe but know I am taking it on a already malfunctioning gut and stomach which is not the best thing to do. Will phone the rehab nurse tomorrow and tell her what I have done. Sincere thanks
A doctor once told me "Never take aspirin again" but I've taken 75mg dispersible aspirin every day since my HA in 2017 without harm. Take it with or after a meal as advised and it shouldn't affect your stomach. Re Dizzy D's original post, I took Clopidogrel for a year after having stents, together with aspirin, without any problem. By contrast, Ramipril made me cough so I got it changed to Losartan, and I was given Bisoprolol and should not have been because my pulse has always been below 60bpm at rest, and it took 3 years to get someone to say "Stop taking it". So I don't suffer in silence.
There are always alternatives but as already stated you need to speak to your GP or pharmacist first.
I was put on Clopidogrel way back in 2017 after a stroke that followed an angiogram. I remained on it following by bypass also in 2017.
In October 2021 I had 2 stents fitted and was taken off Clopidogrel and put on ticagrelor and aspirin. My prescription said this was for 12 months and then I would revert to Clopidogrel (which has never caused me any problems) I managed 6 months on ticagrelor and it was a nightmare, I found myself panting for breath and waking myself up at night. I consulted with my GP who said 6 months was fine so I went back to Clopidogrel.
Depending on the person and what other meds they are on thinners react differently so sometimes it is a matter of trial and error.
I take both the medico9nes mentioned which have little effect except some loose bowels occasionally. What time of day do you take them and is it before or after food?
I can echo some of your problems. I had immediate problems with Clopidogrel even before having the stent fitted and told the hospital but they insisted I took it. I pushed on and suffered for a couple of weeks after the stent and then had a nasty episode and a visit to A&E. That got me Lansoprazole prescribed but it didn’t help so I stopped it.
I went back through my cardiologist and told them I couldn’t stomach ( sorry for the pun) Clopidogrel and they consulted with the stent surgeon and agreed that as I was on Apixaban and Aspirin that would be sufficient protection. I can’t say it was all perfect after stopping the Clopidogrel but it was so so much better.
I spent 6 months on the Aspirin in accordance with instructions and then stopped. I can’t say that I noticed any side effects of the Aspirin on my stomach, maybe I was lucky.
My advice is to get on to your cardiologist or the surgeon that did your stent. In my case the fact that I was on Apixaban was the game changer for them and I was actually able to remove a drug from the regime which is a huge bonus for those of us that react so sensitively to various medications. Good luck.
an alternative to clopidogrel and ticagrelor that I have not seen mentioned in the relief is Prasugrel. Consultant put me on that as an alternative to Ticagrelor after an angiogram in 2021
We are all different in the way our bodies react to medication. IU have had no trouble at all with clopidogrel. I do know that you should not take clopidogrel with omeprazole!!! I actually found thios out on this forum 3 years ago!!! my GP had not told me of the interractions and so I asked if I could change to lansoprazole. I would suggest you talk to your GP about all of this. There are many alternatives out there and I am sure you will find one that suits you better than clopidogrel. Good luck
You probably need stronger stomach medication. I take Omeprazole and Gaviscon liquid at bedtime. You shouldn’t be feeling this way and need more protection for your stomach or need other medication change, so see GP.
Hi Dizzy D. After his bypass 4 and a half years ago, the doctor took hubby off clopidogrel and put him on a 75mg aspirin a day. He takes Omeprazole to counter the dodgy effects of aspirin on his stomach but he's also taking Gaviscon tablets as well now.
I think you need a trip to your GP. I'm sure my husband needs a medication review as he's been on the same drugs since he left hospital. Our GP surgery is like Fort Knox to get in.
Good luck and hoping you feel much better soon. Best wishes. Jan xxx
I know everyone is different, but I would bet money on your issues being caused by Apixaban rather than Clopidogrel. Before my heart op, I was on Apixaban. I tolerated it for around 3 months, then started getting terrible abdominal pain after eating, more so with particular foods. Gasto problems resulting fro Apixaban are quite well documented in other countries, but less so here. I got so bad that I was sent to A&are at one point. I contacted my cardiologist and was transferred to Rivaroxaban, but as they are from the same family of drugs, was warned I may suffer the same problems. I was fine for a few months and then started feeling poorly again. I then decided I would take my tablet part way through my evening meal and had no further problems. since my operation I am no longer on either medication but do take Clopidogrel. I have had no problems with this. I can’t even take paracetamol without being sick! Might just be worth trying changing the timing of your dose of your Apixaban to see if it helps?
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