Live Life Team
Antiplatelets are mainly of two types – the low dose aspirin and clopidogrel antiplatelets.
A low dose of aspirin can be used as an anti platelet drug which helps in reducing the risk of clotting of blood. A 75mg dose of aspiring per day can be administered in cases of stroke, heart attacks, atrial fibrillation, acute coronary syndrome as well as a bypass graft surgery of the coronary artery. It can also be administered in cases of risk of heart attacks and strokes being high in persons who have hypertension, diabetes and have high level of cholesterol.
Aspirin in low doses are advised for
- retinopathy
- nephropathy
- diabetes over 10 years
- persons over 50 years
- hypertension
In children, this is usually administered for treating Kawasaki syndrome or after heart surgery.
Clopidogrel may be administered if there is:
- myocardial infraction
- stroke
- Unstable angina
- minor heart attack
- coronary stent
This may also be administered if the person develops allergy for aspirin.
Aspirin and clopidogrel can be administered together also for a period of maximum 12 months.
Considerations
Low dose aspirin is not advised if the person suffers from:
- peptic ulcer
- any bleeding disorder like haemophilia
- allergy to the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and aspirin
- asthma
- hypertension
- hepatic disorders
- renal disorders
Low dose aspirin must be taken only under the supervision of the doctor in case the woman is pregnant or breastfeeding.
Clopidogrel should not be used if the person has active bleeding due to brain haemorrhage or peptic ulcers. Take care while using this during any hepatic or renal problems. Pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should not use this drug.
Side effects
Some side effects of using aspirin are:
- intestinal and stomach irritation
- nausea
- indigestion
- vomitting
- allergies
- bruising
- bleeding in stomach
- stomach inflammation
- Haemorrhage of brain (seen very rarely).
Popular side effects of using clopidogrel are
- Dyspepsia
- diarrhoea,
- abdominal pain
- bruising
- haematuria
- nose bleeding
- blood in faeces
Less popular side effects of using clopidogrel are
- dizziness,
- headaches
- peptic ulcers
- nausea
- gastritis
- itching and rashes
- rashes and itching,
- constipation,
- increased time for clotting
- flatulence,
- reduction in white blood corpuscles.
Interactions
Aspirin is not advised with anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen and diclofenac because there are high chances of stomach bleeding. Using aspirin with the SSRI antidepressant drugs increases the chances of bleeding. Using aspirin can result in reducing the ability of human body to remove methotrexate, in turn increasing the chances of severe side effects. In some situations, doctors advise using warfarin along with aspirin as warfarin is an anticoagulant.
Using clopidogrel with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can increase the chances of bleeding. The usage of Dipyridamole , another antiplatelet, along with this drug can also increase the chankces of bleeding risk.
Using clopidogrel with warfarin helps to enhance the normal functioning of warfarin.
