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Clopidogrel

About clopidogrel

Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet medicine. It prevents platelets (a type of blood cell) from sticking together and forming a dangerous blood clot.

Taking clopidogrel helps prevent blood clots if you have an increased risk of having them.

Your risk is higher if you have or have had:

  • a heart attack
  • unstable angina
  • a stroke or "mini-stroke" (transient ischaemic attack or TIA)
  • peripheral arterial disease
  • an operation on your heart or blood vessels, such as a coronary stent insertion

Clopidogrel comes as tablets and is only available on prescription.

Who can and cannot take clopidogrel

Clopidogrel can be taken by adults aged 18 and over.

Clopidogrel is not suitable for some people. To make sure this medicine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you:

  • have ever had an allergic reaction to clopidogrel or any other medicine
  • have a stomach ulcer or have had stomach ulcers in the past
  • have had bleeding in your brain (a brain haemorrhage)
  • have a bleeding disorder, such as haemophilia
  • have liver or kidney problems
  • are trying to get pregnant, already pregnant or breastfeeding

How and when to take clopidogrel

You'll usually take clopidogrel once a day, at the same time each day.

You can take clopidogrel with or without food.

Dosage

The usual dose is 75mg a day. Occasionally you may be prescribed a one-off higher dose, such as 300mg or 600mg.

What if I forget to take it?

If you forget to take clopidogrel, take it as soon as you remember.

If you do not remember until the following day, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten dose.

If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you. You could also ask your pharmacist for advice on other ways to help you remember to take your medicine.

What if I take too much?

Taking 1 or 2 extra tablets is unlikely to harm you.

But the amount of clopidogrel that can lead to overdose is different from person to person.

Contact your doctor if you have taken some extra tablets and notice any signs of bleeding.

Side effects

Like all medicines, clopidogrel can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Common side effects

These common side effects happen in more than 1 in 100 people.

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or do not go away:

  • bleeding more easily than normal – nosebleeds, bruising more easily or bleeding that takes longer to stop
  • diarrhoea
  • stomach pain
  • indigestion or heartburn

Serious side effects

Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 1,000 people.

Call a doctor as soon as possible if:

  • you're coughing up blood, or there's blood in your pee, poo or vomit
  • the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow, although this can be harder to see on brown or black skin – these can be signs of liver problems
  • you feel very tired or have signs of infections, such as a high temperature or sore throat – these can be signs of a blood or bone marrow disorder

Serious allergic reaction

In rare cases, clopidogrel can cause a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

These are not all the side effects of clopidogrel. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicines packet.

How to cope with side effects of clopidogrel

What to do about:

  • bleeding more easily than normal – be careful when doing activities that might cause an injury or a cut. Always wear a helmet when cycling. Wear protective gloves when you use sharp objects like scissors, knives, and gardening tools. Use an electric razor instead of wet shaving, and use a soft toothbrush and waxed dental floss to clean your teeth. See a doctor if you're worried about any bleeding.
  • diarrhoea – drink lots of fluids, such as water or squash, to avoid dehydration. Speak to a pharmacist if you have signs of dehydration, such as peeing less than usual or having dark, strong-smelling pee. Do not take any other medicines to treat diarrhoea without speaking to a pharmacist or doctor.
  • stomach pain – try to rest and relax. It can help to eat and drink slowly and have smaller and more frequent meals. Putting a heat pad or covered hot water bottle on your stomach may also help. If you're in a lot of pain, speak to your pharmacist or doctor.
  • indigestion or heartburn – take clopidogrel a few minutes before or after a meal. If the indigestion does not go away, it could be a sign that you have a stomach ulcer. Talk to your doctor, they may prescribe something to protect your stomach or switch you to a different medicine.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Clopidogrel is not normally recommended in pregnancy, however it can be taken if needed. It is not thought to be harmful to your baby, although evidence is limited.

Talk to your doctor about the benefits and risks of taking clopidogrel. For some conditions, continuing clopidogrel is essential. Do not stop taking clopidogrel unless you have been advised to do so by your doctor.

There may be other treatments that are more suitable for you in pregnancy. Your doctor or pharmacist will be able to advise you.

Clopidogrel and breastfeeding

Only take clopidogrel while breastfeeding if your doctor advises you to.

It is not known how much clopidogrel gets into breast milk, but it's likely to be a small amount.

If your doctor says it's OK for you to keep taking clopidogrel, then watch your baby for any possible side effects, such as bruising or bleeding easily. However, it's unlikely that clopidogrel will cause any side effects in your baby.

Talk to your doctor, pharmacist, midwife, or health visitor if you have any concerns about your baby while you're breastfeeding.

Cautions with other medicines

Some medicines affect the way clopidogrel works.

Tell your doctor if you're taking any of these medicines before you start taking clopidogrel:

  • medicines to prevent blood clots, such as aspirin, warfarin, rivaroxaban, apixaban, edoxaban, dabigatran, dipyridamole, ticagrelor or prasugrel
  • non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen
  • antidepressants called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as citalopram
  • indigestion medicines called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole

Taking clopidogrel with everyday painkillers

Your doctor may prescribe daily low-dose aspirin (75mg tablets) to take together with clopidogrel. Or they may prescribe clopidogrel instead of daily low-dose aspirin if you have problems with aspirin.

Do not take aspirin for pain relief (300mg tablets) or ibuprofen while you're taking clopidogrel, unless a doctor has said it's OK. They increase the chance of bleeding.

You can take paracetamol together with clopidogrel.

Taking clopidogrel with indigestion medicines

Indigestion remedies called proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), such as omeprazole and esomeprazole, may reduce the effect of clopidogrel.

If you have indigestion and need a medicine to protect your stomach, your doctor can prescribe you a different PPI, such as lansoprazole.

You can take other indigestion remedies such as antacids at the same time as clopidogrel. Your pharmacist will be able to recommend a suitable indigestion remedy for you.

Mixing clopidogrel with herbal remedies and supplements

There might be a problem with taking some herbal remedies and supplements with clopidogrel, especially ones that can affect your blood (for example, ginkgo).

St John's wort (used for depression) can increase the levels of clopidogrel in your blood. This can increase your risk of bleeding.

Related links

Angina — Link to Related Condition

Heart attack — Link to Related Condition

Stroke — Link to Related Condition

Transient ischaemic attack (TIA) — Link to Related Condition

HealthUnlocked: clopidogrel forum — Link to Useful Resource

British Heart Foundation: charity — Link to Useful Resource

Stroke Association: charity — Link to Useful Resource

HealthUnlocked contains information from NHS Digital, licensed under the current version of the Open Government Licence

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711 public posts

Post-Clopidogrel symptoms?

Is this a consequence of Clopidogrel ceasing?
Is this a consequence of Clopidogrel ceasing?
Michael1966 profile image
Michael1966
in British Heart Foundation
2 months ago

clopidogrel

Hello I have to come off clopidogrel for a week as I am having a colonoscopy, has anyone else had to do this ? We’re you ok coming off this medication? Thanks 😊
Hello I have to come off clopidogrel for a week as I am having a colonoscopy, has anyone else had to do this ? We’re you ok coming off this medication? Thanks 😊
Platypus6 profile image
Platypus6
in British Heart Foundation
3 months ago

Stopping Clopidogrel

I've been told to stop Clopidogrel after 12 months since getting a stent.Just 2 days after stopping, I'm getting severe pain like heart attack. I have unstable angina and glyceryl nitrate spray didn't help .took aspirin too as usual. I'm not sure if withdrawing Clopidogrel has caused this.
I've been told to stop Clopidogrel after 12 months since getting a stent.Just 2 days after stopping, I'm getting severe pain like heart attack. I have unstable angina and glyceryl nitrate spray didn't help .took aspirin too as usual. I'm not sure if withdrawing Clopidogrel has caused this.
JuneD53 profile image
JuneD53
in British Heart Foundation
4 days ago
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Clopidogrel - Joint Pain

Meanwhile I've heard from someone that Clopidogrel can cause arthritis and painful joints and muscles. Anyone experienced this? Anyone come off Clopidogrel and if so, how? Put on anything else instead? Thank you.
Meanwhile I've heard from someone that Clopidogrel can cause arthritis and painful joints and muscles. Anyone experienced this? Anyone come off Clopidogrel and if so, how? Put on anything else instead? Thank you.
Lulu_Lollipop profile image
Lulu_Lollipop
in Arthritis Action
21 days ago

Clopidogrel causing duodenitis?

I've been taking clopidogrel, amlodipine and statins for years now. Over the last year or so I have developed inflammation of the duodenum, confirmed by endoscopy. The consultant wrote "duodenitis caused by clopidogrel" on his summary of findings.
I've been taking clopidogrel, amlodipine and statins for years now. Over the last year or so I have developed inflammation of the duodenum, confirmed by endoscopy. The consultant wrote "duodenitis caused by clopidogrel" on his summary of findings.
0liver profile image
0liver
in British Heart Foundation
4 months ago

Ticagrelor and Amlodipine

The consultant changed me from clopidogrel to ticagrelor been on it four days now and feel awful. The shortness of breath is worse than the angina and nosebleeds I was fine on clopidogrel.
The consultant changed me from clopidogrel to ticagrelor been on it four days now and feel awful. The shortness of breath is worse than the angina and nosebleeds I was fine on clopidogrel.
Fourwhitesheps profile image
Fourwhitesheps
in British Heart Foundation
22 days ago

Omeprazole and Clopidogrel

Had a stent a month ago today and cardiologist wanted me to go back on omeprazole but I insisted on Pantoprazole. I need the omeprazole long term due to severe GERD. He told me that the interaction advice was an old Canadian study and that there have been ample studies to confirm that Ompeprazole did
Had a stent a month ago today and cardiologist wanted me to go back on omeprazole but I insisted on Pantoprazole. I need the omeprazole long term due to severe GERD. He told me that the interaction advice was an old Canadian study and that there have been ample studies to confirm that Ompeprazole did
wischo profile image
wischo
in British Heart Foundation
3 hours ago

Clopidogrel side effects

I presently take both the Clopidogrel and Lansoprazole in the morning, at least 30 minutes before food. The Patient Information Leaflet for Clopidogrel suggests it can be taken with or without food, but a Pharmacist I spoke to recently suggested definitely with food.
I presently take both the Clopidogrel and Lansoprazole in the morning, at least 30 minutes before food. The Patient Information Leaflet for Clopidogrel suggests it can be taken with or without food, but a Pharmacist I spoke to recently suggested definitely with food.
FindingCaradoc profile image
FindingCaradoc
in British Heart Foundation
8 days ago

Clopidogrel and hernia

Can clopidogrel irritate a hiatus hernia? I've been taking it for a year, following what medics think was a TIA, and have a lot of chest pain and breathlessness.
Can clopidogrel irritate a hiatus hernia? I've been taking it for a year, following what medics think was a TIA, and have a lot of chest pain and breathlessness.
Alig66 profile image
Alig66
in British Heart Foundation
2 months ago

Nexium Control

This is classed as a major interaction which could reduce the effectiveness of Clopidogrel and could put me at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke. Has anybody else taken Nexium Control and Clopidogrel together and suffered any or no adverse effects?
This is classed as a major interaction which could reduce the effectiveness of Clopidogrel and could put me at a greater risk of heart attack or stroke. Has anybody else taken Nexium Control and Clopidogrel together and suffered any or no adverse effects?
Becdan profile image
Becdan
in British Heart Foundation
3 months ago

acid reflux/heartburn

hi Just had stent ( Dec 13th ) am plagued with heartburn and acid reflux since starting on Clopidogrel. Any suggestions on controlling or eliminating it ? am on Omeprazole but doesn’t seem to have any effect thanks Dennis
hi Just had stent ( Dec 13th ) am plagued with heartburn and acid reflux since starting on Clopidogrel. Any suggestions on controlling or eliminating it ? am on Omeprazole but doesn’t seem to have any effect thanks Dennis
dennisprice profile image
dennisprice
in British Heart Foundation
2 months ago

Feeling Cold

I was wondering if its to do with taking blood thinners clopidogrel ?
I was wondering if its to do with taking blood thinners clopidogrel ?
Beta70 profile image
Beta70
in British Heart Foundation
18 days ago

Starting Clopidogrel and nervous

ED Drs started me on 300mg aspirin but I now have to start taking Clopidogrel daily. Terrified of side effects because of multiple other health problems. Realise everyone reacts differently to medication but would be so grateful to hear from anyone’s experience of starting/being on this drug.
ED Drs started me on 300mg aspirin but I now have to start taking Clopidogrel daily. Terrified of side effects because of multiple other health problems. Realise everyone reacts differently to medication but would be so grateful to hear from anyone’s experience of starting/being on this drug.
Harpangel profile image
Harpangel
in British Heart Foundation
1 month ago

clopidogrel and supplements

can you take turmeric with clopidogrel?
can you take turmeric with clopidogrel?
BG63 profile image
BG63
in British Heart Foundation
5 months ago

Petechiae

I'm on pred, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, aspirin, clopidogrel, bisoprol and a couple of high blood pressure tablets. Should I be worried or are they just a side effect of one of the tablets. Thanks.
I'm on pred, methotrexate, hydroxychloroquine, aspirin, clopidogrel, bisoprol and a couple of high blood pressure tablets. Should I be worried or are they just a side effect of one of the tablets. Thanks.
Deiniol profile image
Deiniol
in LUPUS UK
2 months ago

Nose bleeds

I had a HA in December and been on various meds (Atorvastatin 80mg, Clopidogrel 75mg, Lansoprazole 30mg, Ramipril 2.5mg, Riveraxaban 20mg). Wondered if anyone had the same thing or some info on why these bleeds have started? Cheers
I had a HA in December and been on various meds (Atorvastatin 80mg, Clopidogrel 75mg, Lansoprazole 30mg, Ramipril 2.5mg, Riveraxaban 20mg). Wondered if anyone had the same thing or some info on why these bleeds have started? Cheers
Eagle69 profile image
Eagle69
in British Heart Foundation
18 days ago

Barrett's Syndrome

Predictive text suggested the Capri Grill for Clopidogrel! :)
Predictive text suggested the Capri Grill for Clopidogrel! :)
MichaelJH profile image
MichaelJH
Heart Starin British Heart Foundation
6 months ago

Long term lansoprazole use

I was prescribed it when the aspirin and then the clopidogrel I take for ET was causing issues with my stomach lining. Now, it's my understanding that long - term use can cause malabsorption issues.
I was prescribed it when the aspirin and then the clopidogrel I take for ET was causing issues with my stomach lining. Now, it's my understanding that long - term use can cause malabsorption issues.
LRH77 profile image
LRH77
in MPN Voice
3 months ago

Iron Infusion Heart Failure Related ??

Or a possible meds side effect Entresto, Dapa, Clopidogrel etc Thanks Regards ps A friend said it means they will put a nail through my Head lol
Or a possible meds side effect Entresto, Dapa, Clopidogrel etc Thanks Regards ps A friend said it means they will put a nail through my Head lol
Prada47 profile image
Prada47
in British Heart Foundation
20 days ago

bisoprolol up or down

spoke to gp pharmacist today for yearly Medication review, currently on 3.75mg of bisoprolol my cardio surgeon wants to lower it but gp pharmacist wants to raise it ,she said to get most out of medication bp currently around 125/74 pulse around 65 can't understand why they have different views also on clopidogrel
spoke to gp pharmacist today for yearly Medication review, currently on 3.75mg of bisoprolol my cardio surgeon wants to lower it but gp pharmacist wants to raise it ,she said to get most out of medication bp currently around 125/74 pulse around 65 can't understand why they have different views also on clopidogrel
Charl70 profile image
Charl70
in British Heart Foundation
2 months ago
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