clopidril

[MaryBob]

I have been on Clopidril since having 4 stents in 2015 then a by pass in my leg. I then had another stent fitted in 2022. Further investigations found narrowing of the arteries in my other leg. I believe the clopidril is causing the hot sweats I have been having for years. I am wondering whether I have to put up with this for another 15 years or is there an alternative. I can’t take aspirin long term. I have read on other posts that after 1 year you came off the tablet? I have been taking this for the past 9 years.

[Milkfairy Heart Star]

Do you mean clopidogrel ?It is an antiplatelet, it helps prevent blood clots forming.

I have been taking clopidogrel for 12 years and will continue to take it for life. The side effect I have is some impressive bruises.

Perhaps discuss your side effects with your GP to see if you can be offered a different antiplatelet?

[Happyrosie]

most people come of Clop after one year but many are advised to stay on for life. NICE says it’s a matter for a physician in consultation with the patient, if I remember right, to make a decision based on the particular circumstances.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Happyrosie]

Could you please post the link to the National Institute of Healthcare Excellence NICE guidelines that you make reference to?

[phoebegrant in reply to Milkfairy]

This is an NHS link that sets out some guidelines for Clobidogrel.

nhsinform.scot/tests-and-tr...

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to phoebegrant]

Thank you.This lists the many reasons why Clopidogrel maybe prescribed.

Some of us are on it for life others just post procedures such as stents being inserted or open heart surgery.

It certainly is important to keep taking Clopidogrel of you have peripheral artery disease, PAD as well.

[Happyrosie]

unsuccessful sr far. It’s a year since I looked it up.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Happyrosie]

It helps if links can be provided to quotes or references made as it allows forum members to read the information for themselves.

Otherwise the information no matter how good is not evidence based and could be misleading.

[Happyrosie in reply to Milkfairy]

Yes I agree . But u able to in this instance.

[Happyrosie in reply to Milkfairy]

It took me about an hour to find the guidance (such as it is) when I looked a year or so ago. I’ve tried again briefly this evening and haven’t got there yet.

[devonian186]

You would expect to come off Clop after 1 year after one off heart work. But you appear to have had a number of procedures.

I had to remind my GP that my notes said I should come off after a year. Might be worth querying with your GP and if they say its still necessary ask if there is an alternative.

[Sljp0000]

After my 4 stents, I was told to come off Clopidogrel after a year. However my surgeon (I'd previously had a triple bypass and a pulmonary embolism) told me to stay on them for life. I was admitted to hospital last week and the Cardiologist there agreed I should stay on for life. It does seem to be one professional says one thing and another says differently. I would stay on them if you can. Sounds like you may need them. I too suffer from hot sweats but I put it down to menopause.

[Kristin1812 Heart Star]

Do stay on Clopidogrel until you have taken medical advice and an explanation. You do say you ‘can’t take aspirin long term’, so that may have a bearing on the decision to give you Clopidogrel long term.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

Why can't you take aspirin? If it's because it causes stomach bleeds then the normally dispensed dispersible aspirin can be changed out for enteric coated or gastro resistant which breaks down further along the digestive system and therefore doesn't cause stomach issues. That's what I take.

[Weetabixie]

Hi, I've been on clopidogrel over 20yrs had no ill effects, I too have hot flushes and sweat but I too put it down to the menopause as never happened until I entered the menopause, I can't think what it's called when it starts🙄 sorry about that. I'm on it for life as lupus anticoagulant. Also on Enteric coated aspirin as of June last year from NSTEMI.

[wischo]

Some people have an allergy to Aspirin and they remain on Clopidogrel which in itself is a far better option than Aspirin for antiplatelet therapy. There are however other antiplatelet medications like Prasugrel and Ticagrelor which you could try with your GPs consent. If you could take Aspirin safely you would be on that for life anyway. Could anything else be causing your hot sweats?. I would stay on an antiplatelet, and I can see why you are upset and frustrated with it all at the moment and I hope things improve for you in the near future.

[MaryBob]

I would like to thank you all for your reply’s, there is a longer history but don’t want to bore you with too much. Does the constant sweats go on for ever, been on Menopause for 18 years then and have not slept through the night for 15. If I get 2/3 hours at a time I am lucky. I will discuss this with a practitioner when I see him but also think I will be on this medication for life.

[Happyrosie]

ass far as disrupted sleep is concerned, that’s a normal part of ageing.