Clopidogrel

[Jantech]

I have what my gp called gastritis.

I take Clopidogrel even though I had a plaque blockage in my carotid not a blood clot. I want to half my dose to see if stomach tenderness eases

Moderate AR.

Anyone on a half dose?

[Taviterry]

Best done in consultation with a medical professional, especially when it comes to Clopidogrel. Usually it's recommended that one takes an antacid, such as Lansoprazole, with it to counteract stomach problems. My GP and surgery pharmacist were insistent that I should take Lansoprazole, my surgeon said it wasn't necessary, but after two months of stomach discomfort I did take Lansoprazole, with almost immediate positive results; nowadays I only take it when I have minor discomfort.

And I guess that one factor could be the strength of your Clopidogrel. Another is quantifying the risk of reducing it.

[Jantech in reply to Taviterry]

Wise counsel, thanks so much

[Fanfab1]

Hello

I take lansoprazole and clopidogrel, i didn’t get on with aspirin re stomach. Ask gp for something to sooth stomach like lansoprazole or something similar.

Not wise at all to change dose of a med without consulting a doctor first then you can make a more informed decision in the context of the risks that a blockage can present vs stomach issues.

Clopidogrel is not just for clots or obstructive plaque, I have no significant blockages but angina with non obstructive coronary arteries.

👍

[Happyrosie]

as has been said, it would be unwise to tweak your medication without advice. I could be wrong, but I’ve a feeling that lanzoprazole isn’t the one recommended to be taken with Clop. It would be another “zole”.

talk to the pharmacist attached to your doc’s group of surgeries (assuming you are in UK). Speak to the receptionist at your doc’s to access that person.

Failing that, your dispensing pharmacist.

Either of these people should be able to guide your doctor, being as they know more about medication and their side effects than a generalist like a GP.

[Jantech in reply to Happyrosie]

That’s a good idea. I will certainly do that. Thanks so much

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Happyrosie]

'I could be wrong, but I’ve a feeling that lanzoprazole isn’t the one recommended to be taken with Clop. It would be another “zole”.'

Omeprazole and esomeprazole are to be avoided not Lansoprazole when a person is taking Clopidogrel.

I am prescribed Lansoprazole as I am on Clopidogrel for life.

[Happyrosie in reply to Milkfairy]

My husband was switched from Lanz or Omep to Pantoprazole a couple of years ago and I think it was because of Clop and not the other medications he is on.

[Milkfairy Heart Star in reply to Happyrosie]

Lansoprazole, pantoprazole, or rabeprazole can be prescribed with clopidogrel not however omeprazole and esomeprazole.

[Happyrosie in reply to Milkfairy]

Aha, I think he had been on Omeprazole that’s why they switched him. Thanks for your input.

[Jantech in reply to Milkfairy]

I will double check as gp says that’s the one?

[Cee-Cee1 in reply to Happyrosie]

I was prescribed both Lansoprazole and Clopidogrel to be taken together for a year after my bypass operation. I suspect it's Omeprazole and one of the other 'zoles' which aren't recommended with Clopidogrel.

[fetchmeacoffee in reply to Cee-Cee1]

You're correct, I was on Omeprazole for a few years previous to Cloprigel for another issue and they switched me to Lansoprazole (and I hate it!) but it was because Omerprazole can interact with Cloprigel and `lessen` how much you absorb

[RF260]

Hi, I'm on Clopidogrel and Aspirin following HA in April, I struggled with Lansoprazole (diarrhea constant), pharmacist switched the Lansoprazole to Famotidine and stomach been fine since..

[EdtheDead]

I'm on Clopidogrel and low dose Aspirin and they play havoc with my Stomach. I'm also on Colchicine which makes it even worse. My Cardiologist has just upped my Lansoprazole dose to 15mg twice a day. Helped a little but I still suffer.I'm extremely careful what I eat to try and negate my symptoms.

I was found to have Erosive Gastritis during a recent Endoscopy

[Penoir53]

ditto for my hub. The lanzoprazole helped no end. Then in due course you can with the Consultant talk about reducing drug mix or tweaking. My hub has successfully after two years as he didn’t get on with the bigggg statin. But the protocol is v tested post ‘event’ so the lanzoprazole is really good counter for the hefty mix of drugs for most people I’ve seen. Also the gp put Mike on a probiotic to help with good bacteria. Good luck. Gastritis is really horrid. Xx

[topbook]

I'm on clopidogrel for blood thinning after my HA. I was given lansoprazole to start but it didn't agree with me I'm on Famotidine instead now .

[NotAllWhoWonder]

Assume you’re on it because you’ve had a stent put in? If so, it is essential that you keep taking it until your cardiologist tells you to stop. It prevents anything sticking to the stent.

If you’re on aspirin as well, it’s the most likely culprit, not the clopidogrel, if you don’t take a PPI with it. The only real way to diagnose gastritis is after an endoscopy - if you went for one, did they also test for H. pylori?

[Qualipop]

Clopidogrel upset my stomach badly. I took famotidine to protect my stomach as I'm allergic to things like lansoprazole. Rather then reducing your dose you need something to protect your stomach.

[tangotese in reply to Qualipop]

Similar here

[VaniaG]

Jantech,

I wouldn’t advise cutting your dose of Clopidogrel. One, if there is no mark on the pill for cutting…it should not be halved. Two, there may be other reasons your doctor wants you to take it that you do not know.

I agree with the rest of the comments, call your doctor and let him/her know you are having problems. There are so many other meds you can take besides Clopidogrel. Some people just cannot take Clopidogrel due to the side effects, so there are substitutes available. One medication, Ticagrelor, does the same thing and does not have the same side effects as Clopidogrel.

All the best to you. Heart disease is quite the journey. 😊