Plavix (clopidogrel) is a prescription anti-platelet medication used to prevent stroke and heart attack in patients with cardiovascular disease. Plavix works by making blood platelets less likely to form clots.
It is generally taken in tablet form, once per day by mouth. Plavix is one of the best selling drugs worldwide, with over $8 billion dollars in annual sales.
As with many medications, Plavix may cause serious side effects, including:
Common Side Effects of Plavix
- Bleeding: This is the most common side effect and can range from minor bruising to more severe bleeding.
- Bruising: Increased tendency to bruise due to reduced blood clotting ability.
- Nosebleeds: More frequent or prolonged nosebleeds.
- Gastrointestinal Issues: Including stomach pain, diarrhea, indigestion, or heartburn.
- Headaches: Mild to moderate headaches.
- Dizziness: Feelings of lightheadedness or vertigo.
- Itching or Rash: Skin reactions such as itching or rashes.
Serious Side Effects of Plavix
- Severe Bleeding: Including gastrointestinal bleeding, brain hemorrhage, or bleeding within the eyes.
- Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP): A rare blood condition involving blood clots forming throughout the body.
- Hemorrhagic Stroke: Bleeding in the brain, especially in patients who have had a recent brain injury or surgery.
- Ulcers or Holes in the Stomach or Intestines: Manifesting as severe stomach pain, bloody stools, or vomit that looks like coffee grounds.
- Allergic Reactions: Symptoms may include rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, or trouble breathing.
- Liver Problems: Symptoms such as yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, or persistent nausea/vomiting.
- Low White Blood Cell Count: Leading to increased susceptibility to infections.
Drugs come with side effects. We all get that. So that is not the question. Instead, the question is whether the maker of Plavix knew that people who are unable to metabolize Plavix adequately were at greater risk for a heart attack. Since Plavix will not work until it is metabolized in the body, these individuals are at a greater risk for heart attack and stroke.
This increased risk is so great that in March of 2010, the FDA added what is known as a “Black Box Warning” to Plavix to alert both patients and physicians that the drug can be less effective in those patients who are unable to metabolize it into the active form. It is estimated that as many as 14% of the U.S. population are poor metabolizers of Plavix.