Nearly There

[JMF1]

Been given loading dose of Clopidogrel of four tablets to be taken this Thursday followed by one a day thereafter until procedure. Now probably like most of you already on a host of pills so do I take normal meds at usual time leave an hour or so then take loading dose just don’t want to take altogether in case it upsets my stomach or do most of you take Clopidogrel with any other regular meds. Thank you

[joesmith123456]

Almost impossible to predict if you will have side effects with Clopidogrel - I didn't have any and I took them all together after food. I wouldn't think that leaving a time gap of an hour would help in any way. Chances are you'll be totally fine and won't notice anything different.Out of all the drugs I've taken and am on - Clopidogrel is one where I've had no issues with, but we are all different.

[Redfloyd]

I take my daily one with my other meds. I don't think it matters when you take the loading dose, it doesn't in hospital, as long as you take it 24hrs before. I've never had any reaction to it.

[MoretonCross]

I've got no experience of clopidogrel, I wasn't prescribed it at all, but I don't fancy the idea of taking "a loading dose" of four all at once on top of your usual cocktail of medications. I would at least space them out somehow, maybe one at a time over 12 hours, or something like that 🤔 It all sounds a bit drastic to me, but as I say, I've not taken this particular medication. Good luck with it anyhow. 👍

[Redfloyd in reply to MoretonCross]

A "loading dose" is what they would give you in hospital, it's basically just a blood thinner.

[Taviterry]

The way I read your post is that you haven't been on Clopidogrel before? Like Moreton Cross above, I do wonder about taking all four tablets at once, but perhaps a nurse in the unit that's caring for you can advise? I've been taking 75mg Clopidogrel each evening for 19 months now with a statin, and Ramipril for blood pressure in the morning, as well as various over-the-counter supplements. I haven't suspected any adverse interaction between these, but because Clop acts as a blood thinner you would need to be careful about getting even tiny nicks and cuts (because it's difficult to stem the flow of watery blood) and to avoid any knocks, which can cause bruising.

[Lowerfield_no_more]

You should be talking to the heath professionals who are responsible for prescribing your medication. No-one on here should be advising you of how to take medication, nor should you be guessing,

Edit. One of the potential side effects from taking Clopidogrel is a GI bleed. If you overdose on clopidogrel then my layman's view would be you increase that risk. And be assured you do not want a GI bleed as I had from taking ibuprofen even with prescribed limits, and that is why it is important to seek clarification from your health professionals on how to take your Clopidigrel medication.