Changes coming to U.S. import regulations, effective August 29th, 2025. All shipments may be affected. Read more for continued updates.
(Clopidogrel Bisulfate)
Prescription required. May be split. Product of UK/EU. Shipped from United Kingdom.
Prescription required. May be split. Product of UK/EU. Shipped from United Kingdom.
Prescription required. Can not be split. Product of Canada. Shipped from Canada.
Plavix (clopidogrel bisulfate) is an oral antiplatelet medication. By preventing platelets from clumping together, Plavix reduces the formation of blood clots that can block critical blood vessels in the heart, brain, and peripheral arteries. It is commonly used to reduce the risk of myocardial infarction (heart attack), ischemic stroke, and death in high-risk individuals.
Plavix is prescribed to prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of serious cardiovascular events in patients with:
Acute Coronary Syndrome (ACS): including unstable angina (UA) and non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI). It is typically initiated with a 300 mg loading dose, followed by a 75 mg daily dose.
ST-Elevation Myocardial Infarction (STEMI): with or without reperfusion therapy (e.g., thrombolytics or percutaneous coronary intervention—e.g., stent placement). The loading dose may or may not be recommended, and 75 mg once daily is often maintained longer term.
Recent Stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA): to prevent recurrence of ischemic stroke.
Established Peripheral Arterial Disease (PAD): to reduce the risk of systemic thrombotic events in patients with compromised blood flow to the extremities.
Plavix is often co-prescribed with low-dose aspirin (dual antiplatelet therapy), particularly in post-stent placement and when managing a heart attack.
To comply with Canadian International Pharmacy Association regulations you are permitted to order a 3-month supply or the closest package size available based on your personal prescription. read more
Plavix should be taken exactly as prescribed. The dosage recommended is often:
75 mg once daily, with or without food.
A 300 mg oral loading dose may be required for rapid platelet inhibition in some instances, as determined by your doctor.
Administration Guidelines:
Take Plavix at the same time each day to maintain consistent antiplatelet activity.
If co-administered with aspirin, only take the aspirin dose recommended by your physician (usually 75–100 mg/day).
It’s helpful to discuss the intended length of therapy with your healthcare provider, particularly when combined with another antiplatelet medication, such as aspirin. In many instances, after a pre-determined period of time, one medication may be stopped while the other medication is continued. Effective communication with your healthcare providers is crucial.
Do not stop Plavix without consulting your doctor, even if you notice signs of bleeding. Premature discontinuation may lead to rebound platelet activity and an increased risk of thrombotic events such as a heart attack or stroke. It’s important to discuss concerns related to bleeding or bruising with your doctor, but do not stop the medication unless you have been instructed to do so.
Before surgery or dental work, your healthcare provider may recommend temporarily stopping Plavix 5–7 days before the procedure to reduce the risk of bleeding. Work with your healthcare providers to determine whether the medication should be stopped, when it should be stopped, and when it should be restarted.
Plavix increases bleeding risk. Use with caution in the following situations:
Active pathological bleeding, including gastrointestinal (e.g., peptic ulcer) or intracranial bleeding
Known hypersensitivity to the active ingredient clopidogrel, or any of the inactive ingredients in Plavix
History of gastrointestinal ulcers or recent trauma
Bleeding disorders (e.g., hemophilia)
Liver disease, which may impair clotting factor synthesis
Surgical history requiring precise control of bleeding
Plavix is a prodrug activated by hepatic CYP2C19 enzymes.
Up to 14% of patients may carry loss-of-function CYP2C19 alleles, leading to impaired metabolism and reduced drug effectiveness. A genotyping test may be used to assess whether an alternative therapy (e.g., prasugrel or ticagrelor) is needed.
Plavix is classified as Pregnancy Category B. Animal studies do not indicate harm, but studies on pregnant women are limited. Special considerations may be needed, particularly when considering labor and delivery.
The safety of Plavix during breastfeeding is not well-established. It’s critical to discuss the potential risks and benefits of therapy with your healthcare provider.
Plavix can be taken with or without food. Taking it with food may reduce gastrointestinal discomfort.
Avoid alcohol, which can irritate the stomach lining and increase the risk of GI bleeding.
Avoid using over-the-counter cold medicines, pain relievers, or anti-inflammatory medications (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen) unless approved by your doctor. Products containing NSAIDs will increase the risk of bleeding.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember.
If it is nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed dose—do not double up.
Consistent daily use is critical for maintaining antiplatelet efficacy.
Serious or Life-Threatening Side Effects (seek immediate care):
Uncontrolled bleeding, including:
GI bleeding (black or tarry stools, vomiting blood or material resembling coffee grounds)
Hematuria (blood in urine)
Intracranial bleeding (sudden headache, confusion, vision/speech problems)
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): rare but life-threatening, with symptoms like fever, purpura (purple spots on skin), low platelets, neurologic symptoms, and renal dysfunction
Anemia, jaundice, or liver injury: yellowing of eyes/skin, fatigue, dark urine
Seizures
Common Side Effects:
Easy bruising or bleeding (e.g., nosebleeds, gum bleeding)
Skin rash or itching
Headache, dizziness
GI upset (nausea, dyspepsia)
Discuss concerns related to side effects like bruising, bleeding, and the intended length of therapy with your healthcare provider. Side effects can also be reported to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Store Plavix tablets at room temperature (77°F / 25°C). Temporary excursions to 15°C–30°C (59°F–86°F) are considered okay.
Protect from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep in the original container and out of reach of children.
Plavix’s antiplatelet effect lasts the life of the platelet (~7–10 days); normal clotting function typically returns within 5 days of discontinuation.
Inform your physician or dentist that you are taking Plavix before any procedure.
Genetic tests (e.g., for CYP2C19 variants) may be used to optimize therapy.
Drug interactions include:
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole may reduce Plavix’s effectiveness.
NSAIDs, SSRIs, SNRIs, and other anticoagulants can increase bleeding risk.
Always provide a full medication list (prescription and OTC) to your healthcare provider to avoid interactions.
Clopidogrel (kloh pid' oh grel) Plavix® Clopidogrel must be changed to an active form in your body so that it can treat your condition. Some people do not change clopidogrel to its active form in the body as well as other people. Because the medication does not work as well in these people, they may be at a higher risk of having a heart attack or stroke. There are tests available to identify people who have trouble changing clopidogrel to an active form. Talk to your doctor about whether you should be tested. If you are found to have difficulty converting clopidogrel to its active form, your doctor may change your dose of clopidogrel or tell you not to take clopidogrel. Your doctor or pharmacist will give you the manufacturer's patient information sheet (Medication Guide) when you begin treatment with clopidogrel and each time you refill your prescription. Read the information carefully and ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions. You can also visit the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) website (http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/ucm085729.htm) or the manufacturer's website to obtain the Medication Guide. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking clopidogrel.
Clopidogrel is used alone or with aspirin to prevent serious or life-threatening problems with the heart and blood vessels in people who have had a stroke, heart attack, or severe chest pain. This includes people who have percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI; angioplasty; a type of heart surgery) that may involve inserting coronary stents (metal tubes surgically placed in clogged blood vessels to improve blood flow) or who have coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG; a type of heart surgery). Clopidogrel is also used to prevent serious or life-threatening problems with the heart and blood vessels in people who have peripheral arterial disease (poor circulation in the blood vessels that supply blood to the legs). Clopidogrel is in a class of medications called antiplatelet medications. It works by preventing platelets (a type of blood cell) from collecting and forming clots that may cause a heart attack or stroke.
Clopidogrel comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once a day with or without food. Take clopidogrel at around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take clopidogrel exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. Clopidogrel will help prevent serious problems with your heart and blood vessels only as long as you take the medication. Continue to take clopidogrel even if you feel well. Do not stop taking clopidogrel without talking to your doctor. If you stop taking clopidogrel, there is a higher risk that you may have a heart attack or stroke. If you have a stent, there is also a higher risk that you could develop a blood clot in the stent if you stop taking clopidogrel too soon.
Before taking clopidogrel,
tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to clopidogrel, prasugrel (Effient), ticlopidine (Ticlid), any other medications, or any ingredient in clopidogrel tablets. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention any of the following: anticoagulants ('blood thinners') such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); cilostazol; esomeprazole (Nexium); etravirine (Intelence); omeprazole (Prilosec, Prilosec OTC, Zegerid); repaglinide (Prandin, in Prandimet); selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as citalopram (Celexa), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem, in Symbyax), fluvoxamine (Luvox), paroxetine (Paxil), and sertraline (Zoloft); and selective serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as desvenlafaxine (Khedezla, Pristiq), duloxetine (Cymbalta), sibutramine (no longer available in the U.S.; Meridia), and venlafaxine (Effexor). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
tell your doctor if you have bleeding ulcers (sores in the lining of the stomach or small intestine that are bleeding), bleeding in the brain, or any other condition that causes severe bleeding. Your doctor may tell you that you should not take clopidogrel.
tell your doctor if you have recently been injured and if you have or have ever had liver or kidney disease or any condition that may cause bleeding, including stomach problems such as ulcers and certain eye problems.
tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking clopidogrel, call your doctor.
if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking clopidogrel. Your doctor may tell you to stop taking clopidogrel at least 5 days prior to your surgery to avoid excessive bleeding during surgery. Your doctor will tell you when to start taking clopidogrel again after your surgery.
you should know that you may bleed more easily or for a longer time than usual while you are taking clopidogrel. Be careful not to cut or hurt yourself while you are taking clopidogrel.
Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Clopidogrel may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: excessive tiredness headache dizziness nausea vomiting stomach pain diarrhea nosebleed Some side effects can be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: hives rash itching difficulty breathing or swallowing swelling of the face, throat, tongue, lips, eyes, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs hoarseness black and tarry stools red blood in stools bloody vomit vomit that looks like coffee grounds unusual bleeding or bruising pink or brown urine slow or difficult speech weakness or numbness of an arm or a leg changes in vision fever shortness of breath fast heartbeat pale skin purple patches or bleeding under the skin confusion yellowing of the skin or eyes seizures Clopidogrel may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication. If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online (http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch) or by phone (1-800-332-1088).
Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org
Keep all appointments with your doctor. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
The content on this page is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute professional medical advice. Patients should not use the information presented on this page for diagnosing a health-related issue or disease. Before taking any medication or supplements, patients should always consult a physician or qualified healthcare professional for medical advice or information about whether a drug is safe, appropriate or effective.
