Is A Prescription Required To Have Plavix?

A Prescription is required to purchase Plavix from our certified Canadian wide online pharmacy.

What Is Plavix Used for?

Plavix is indicated for the prevention of blood clot formation to reduce the risk of heart attacks, unstable angina, stroke or blood circulation disease. It can also be prescribed for treatment of chest pain in combination with aspirin.

How Does Plavix Work in Body?

Plavis (clopidogrel bisulfate) is an antiplatelet agent. Platelets are very small structures in blood, smaller than white or red blood cells, which clump together to form a blood clot. Clopidogrel prevents this clumping (by preventing platelet aggregation and activation) and reduces the chances of blood clot formation.

Is There A Generic For Plavix?

The generic equivalent of Plavix is clopidogrel bisulfate, comes from Canada manufactured by Pharma Science or Apotex.

Is Plavix Is An Anticoagulant?

Plavix is not an anticoagulant. However, it is an antiplatelet agent that prevents formation of blood clots by preventing the activation and aggregation of platelets.

Is The Drug Plavix A Blood Thinner?

If you have a stroke or have irregular heartbeats, your doctor might prescribe you a blood thinner. Some of the common examples of blood thinners are warfarin, Plavix and aspirin.

Is Plavix Used To Treat Atrial Fibrillation?

Your doctor might prescribe you Plavix if you have irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation) and cannot take medicines known as oral anticoagulants like warfarin. However, you should know that oral anticoagulants are more effective than acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or combined use of ASA and Plavix to treat this condition. Your doctor should have prescribed Plavix plus ASA if you cannot take oral anticoagulants as the combined use of ASA plus Plavix is more effective than ASA alone.

How Is Plavix Supplied and Stored?

Plavix is a product of Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc. It will be our privilege to offer you the branded Plavix medication and its generic equivalent (clopidogrel bisulfate) from Canada.

Plavix is available in following doses and quantities: 75 mg in a supply of 84 tablets, 300 mg in a supply of 30 tablets. Generic Clopidogrel Bisulfate is available as 75 mg dosage in supply of 100 tablets.

The medication should be stored at temperature of 15°C to 30°C, protected from moisture. Do not leave them near a radiator, on a window sill or in a humid place. Keep the tablets out of reach and sight of children.

What Is the Cost of Plavix?

Our Canada wide pharmacy is pleased to offer you branded Plavix 75 mg at the lowest price of $4.57 per tablet. The generic Plavix from Canada only costs $0.52 per tablet. The average retail price for Plavix is $131 for a supply of 30 tablets, which is $4.36 per tablet. Compare antiplatelet price and other RX drugs before you purchase.

How Is Plavix Taken?

You should take one 75 mg tablet daily by mouth. The medication can be taken with or without food. Take the medicine regularly every day at the same time. If you had an unstable angina or a heart attack recently, one 300 mg tablet might be administered followed by 75 mg dose daily. For irregular heartbeats, the dose is 75 mg daily, in combination with ASA 75-100 mg daily.

Can You Just Stop Taking Plavix (Clopidogrel)?

Do not stop taking Plavix, without consulting your health care professional. If you stop taking Plavix all of a sudden, there are greater chances of you having a heart attack or stroke or developing a blood clot.

How is Plavix Metabolized in Body?

Plavix (clopidogrel) is extensively metabolized in liver and its half-life is about 8 hours.

How Long Does It Take For Plavix To Get Out Of Your System?

It takes 5.5X half-lives of a medicine for it to be out of the body. Plavix gets cleared of the body in (5.5X8) in about 2 days.

When Should You Stop Plavix before Surgery?

Your doctor may ask you to stop taking Plavix 5-7 days before your surgery.

Can I Drink Alcohol While Taking Clopidogrel?

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking Plavix (clopidogrel) as it can increase the risk of bleeding in your stomach or intestines.

What Are The Possible Side Effects of Plavix?

As is the case with all medicines, Plavix can also cause side effects, however not everybody experiences them. Some of the common side effects include pain in muscles or joints, abdominal pain, indigestion, diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, constipation, headache, dizziness, rashes, itching, tingling sensations in arms or legs, bruising, enlargement of breast tissue in men. Other side effects include bleeding disorders such as bleeding in stool, urine, eye, vomiting and coughing up blood, allergic reactions such as rashes, hives, swelling of face, lips and tongue. Some uncommon side effects include fever, signs of infection and extreme fatigue, liver disorders such as yellowing of eyes, skin and urine, abdominal pain, loss of appetite, bleeding in brain causing sudden and severe headache, loss of speech or vision, confusion, seizures, loss of consciousness. Very rare side effects include eosinophilic pneumonia with symptoms of cough, fever, difficulty in breathing, sweating at night and Kounis syndrome. Kounis syndrome is a mixture of symptoms and signs of allergic reaction and heart attack or unstable angina, with chest pain, faintness, shortness of breath, nausea, vomiting, syncope, pruritus, urticaria, sudden, heavy sweating, unusual paleness, palpitations, hypotension and slow heartbeat. These are not all the side effects of Plavix. In case of any unexpected effect, consult your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

When Should You Not Take Plavix?

Do not take Plavix if you:

• Are allerfic to clopidogrel bisulfate or any of the ingredients in Plavix
• Are taking replaglinide, an anti-diabetic drug used to lower blood sugar
• Suffer from any medical condition that can lead to bleeding such as a stomach ulcer
• Have liver disorders
Plavix is not recommended for children or adolescents below 18 years of age

What Should You Tell Your Doctor Before Starting Plavix?

Before taking Plavix, you should tell your doctor if you:

• Have any medical condition that can lead to bleeding such as a stomach ulcer
• Have a blood disorder that can cause you to bleed more easily or longer than 10 minutes without taking any drugs
• Are taking any medications such as acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) or other drugs to treat blood clotting like warfarin, heparin, abciximab, eptifibatide and tirofiban
• Are taking oral anti-depressants like SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) such as fluvoxamine, fluoxetine
• Are taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of painful or inflammatory conditions for muscles or joints
• Are taking drugs for treating stomach ulcers and stomach acidity such as omeprazole
• Are pregnant or planning to become pregnant
• Are breast-feeding or planning to do so
• Have undergone surgery recently (including dental surgery)
• Are going to have surgery. Your doctor may ask you to stop taking Plavix for 5-7 days before surgery
• Have any allergies to medications including prasugrel or ticlopidine

In case you experience bleeding while taking Plavix, do not stop taking the medication but see your doctor immediately.

What Medicines Can Interact With Plavix?

It is important to tell your health care professional about all other medicines that you have taken recently including any kind of supplements and non-prescription drugs.

Medicines which may interact with Plavix are:

• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for treatment of inflammatory conditions of muscles or joints
• Aspirin (ASA) used to treat pain, fever and inflammation
• Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluoxetine used to treat depression
• Antacids such as omeprazole used to treat ulcers or acidity
• Drugs used to reduce blood clotting like heparin, warfarin, abciximab, eptifibatide, and tirofiban
• Repaglinide, an anti-diabetic drugs used to lower blood sugar
• Paclitaxel used to treat many types of cancer

Where Can I Buy Plavix Online?

If prescribed by your health care professional, Plavix can be bought directly from Canadian Online Pharmacy. You will not have to wait to start your therapy due to the swift shipping service provided by us.

How Is Plavix Delivered?

The standard delivery fee is $10.00. The orders are usually shipped in 2-3 working days after the processing of the order. The medication package is delivered by regular mail within 10-14 business days after it has been shipped.

For further information and aid, you can contact our Customer Service at 604-581-4000 or email us at customerservice@canadawidepharmacy.com.

References:

1. https://heartmdinstitute.com/heart-health/common-blood-thinners-and-anticoagulant-drugs/
2. http://products.sanofi.com.au/aus_pi_plavix_20130712.pdf
3. http://products.sanofi.ca/en/plavix.pdf
4. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a601040.html
5. https://www.cardiosmart.org/Healthwise/d042/58/d04258

DESCRIPTION

Plavix (Clopidogrel) is an Rx medication that is used to prevent heart attacks and strokes in people with heart disease (recent heart attack), recent stroke, or blood circulation disease (peripheral vascular disease). It is also used with aspirin to treat new/worsening chest pain (new heart attack, unstable angina) and to keep blood vessels open and prevent blood clots after certain procedures (such as cardiac stent). It works by blocking certain blood cells called platelets - preventing them from forming harmful blood clots. This "anti-platelet" effect helps keep blood flowing smoothly in your body.

Clopidogrel is an anti-platelet drug, that is, a drug that inhibits the ability of platelets to clump together as part of a blood clot. Clopidogrel prevents blood clots by irreversibly binding to the P2Y12 receptor on platelets, preventing adenosine diphosphate (ADP) from activating platelets.

Clopidogrel belongs to a class of drugs called P2Y12 inhibitors and other drugs in this class include ticagrelor (Brilinta) and prasugrel (Effient). Clopidogrel is similar to ticlopidine (Ticlid) in chemical structure and in the way it works. Unlike ticlopidine, clopidogrel does not cause serious reductions of white cells in the blood and, therefore, routine blood testing to determine if the white blood cell count is low is not necessary during treatment.

The risk of heart attacks and strokes (which usually are caused by blood clots) is increased in patients with a recent history of stroke or heart attack, and patients with peripheral vascular disease. (Peripheral vascular disease is the same as atherosclerotic arterial disease or "hardening" of the arteries in which the arteries become narrowed. It frequently occurs in the legs and often causes claudication or pain in the legs upon walking.)

Clopidogrel is used to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes in these patients.

PACKAGING

Brand Plavix comes from Canada and is manufactured by Bristol-Myers Squibb and generic Clopidogrel comes from Canada is manufactured by Pharma Science. This medication is available in doses of 75 mg and 300 mg in the branded form, Plavix, in quantities of 84 and 30 tablets, respectively. In the generic form, Clopidogrel, it is available in the dose of 75 mg, in quantities of 100 tablets.

Please be advised, that Generic drugs are fully licenced and approved copies of brand-name drugs that have the same dosage, intended use, effects, side effects, route of administration, risks, safety, and strength as the original drug. In other words, their pharmacological effects are the same as those of their brand-name counterparts. We are happy (whenever we are able) to provide a choice, especially as Generic versions are generally cheaper, thereby making them more affordable and accessible! In this instance, we are unable to offer the brand-name version.

The tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15 C - 30 C (59 F - 86 F) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from and out of the reach of children and pets

Please note that the manufacturing country and the manufacturer may vary depending on the availability.

DELIVERY

The standard shipping fee is a flat rate of $10.00. Orders are normally dispatched in 2-3 working days after the order is processed. Your package will be delivered by regular mail in 10-14 business days after it is shipped out.

For more information and further assistance, please feel free to Customer Service at 604-581-4000 or email us at customerservice@canadawidepharmacy.com.

SIDE-EFFECTS

Please remember that, just because a side effect is listed here does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience any side effect – we are all different.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare, however get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: severe rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

The more common side effects of clopidogrel are:

• diarrhea,
• rash,
• itching,
• Abdominal pain,
• headache,
• chest pain,
• muscle aches,
• dizziness.
• severe bleeding,
• allergic reactions,
• pancreatitis,
• liver failure.

Although unlikely, serious bleeding in the stomach, gut, eyes, or brain may occur. Also, clopidogrel can rarely cause a very serious blood disorder (thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura-TTP). Symptoms may appear any time after starting this medication. Get medical help right away if any of these symptoms occur: severe stomach/abdominal pain, uncontrolled bleeding from gums or nose, bloody/black stools, confusion, fever, extreme skin paleness, purple skin patches, fainting, fast heartbeat, sudden severe headache, unusual weakness/tiredness, vomit with blood or that looks like coffee grounds, slurred speech, vision changes, seizures, yellowing eyes/skin, bloody/red/pink/dark urine, change in amount of urine.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects and indeed, if you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

SAFETY

Before taking clopidogrel, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other thienopyridines (such as prasugrel); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: bleeding conditions (such as stomach ulcers, bleeding in the brain/eye), recent surgery, serious injury/trauma, liver disease, bleeding disease (such as hemophilia).

Please note, that while you are taking this medication, it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop if you have a cut or injury. Use caution with sharp objects like safety razors or nail cutters and avoid activities such as contact sports to lower the chance of getting cut, bruised, or injured.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about all the products you use (including prescription drugs, non-prescription drugs – not forgetting herbal products). Your doctor may instruct you to stop clopidogrel for 5 to 7 days before surgery.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. It is unknown if this drug passes into breast milk, so consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Do not stop taking clopidogrel without talking with your doctor first.

Please limit alcoholic beverages. Daily use of alcohol, especially when combined with this medicine, may increase your risk for stomach bleeding.

Can Other Medicines Affect Plavix (Clopidogrel)?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while using this one, to make sure that the combination is safe.

The combination of clopidogrel with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis; Oruvail), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), and mefenamic acid (Ponstel) may increase the risk of stomach and intestinal bleeding.

Combining clopidogrel with warfarin (Coumadin) or other drugs that cause bleeding increases the risk of bleeding.

Clopidogrel is converted to its active form by enzymes in the liver. Drugs that reduce the activity of these enzymes, for example, omeprazole (Prilosec, Zegerid) or esomeprazole (Nexium) may reduce the activity of clopidogrel and should not be used with clopidogrel.

Other drugs that also may react with clopidogrel in a similar fashion include fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), cimetidine (Tagamet), fluconazole (Diflucan), ketoconazole (Nizoral, Extina, Xolegel, Kuric), voriconazole (Vfend), ethaverine (Ethatab, Ethavex), felbamate (Felbatol), and fluvoxamine (Luvox).