Live Life Team
The gel, named Clopidogrel is given to the patients, suffering from a heart attack, stroke, minor heart attack or a coronary stent. At times, this may also be recommended in place of a low dose of Aspirin, since it would be great for people having allergy to aspirin. People with high cholesterol, blood pressure, diabetes or smoking habit may also be given low dosage of this. There are some cases where patients may be recommended usage of aspirin and Clopidogrel together for a period of not more than 9 to 12 months.
How it works
This is an anitplatelet medicine and helps to recover from risk of blood clotting. The result would give you better chances of surviving a stroke or a heart attack. The blood clotting happens automatically, with platelets calling in all by sending a message with releasing a chemical, which in turn blocks the clot. The dosage of this gel would reduce the ability of platelets to get together and gel which in turn reduces the clotting.
Considerations
The gel would not be recommended to people suffering of active bleeding and if they have peptic ulcer or a recent brain hemorrhage. Also it’s given with extra care when people with liver or kidney problems are given this drug. People with risk of bleeding are also given this drug with a word of caution. The gel may be stopped before a planned operation which is solely under the doctor’s prescription. The gel is not recommended to the breastfeeding or pregnant women.
Side effects
There are some common side effects like diarrhoea, bruising, blood in urine or stool, nosebleeding or pain in abdomen. There are also some other side effects, which may not be a common scenario and may give headaches, rashes, pins and needles, increased bleeding, white blood cell disorders. The drug does not bother the patient with driving abilities but at times, a little dizziness can be taken care of while driving.
Interactions
The drug can be used with other medicines, but can result in some side effects. While taken with painkillers, there is a chance of increased bleeding. With anitplatelet medicines, there could be more chance of bleeding and needs to be recommended by the doctor. Taken in sync with an anticoagulant can cause in an exaggerated effect of the anticoagulant.
Missed or Extra Dose:
While patients are on medicine, there can be chances of missing their dosage. In a case where the elapsed time is below two hours, one could take the drug as soon as they realize and this should not affect the next dosage time or routine of the patient. In a situation, where the elapsed time is more than 2 hours, one can take the dose as soon as possible, but needs to check if the next due dosage time is not falling in a few hours time. The amount of side effect could go up depending on the time frame of two dosages taken. There are chances where one takes accidentally an over dosage, which would simply mean that you have to contact the doctor at the earliest.
