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Plavix, Effient, Aspirin and Stents (2011 archive)

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What is the normal dosage and length of treatment with Plavix (clopidogrel) or Effient (prasugrel) and aspirin after having a stent? Have you experienced any allergic reactions or side-effects?

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Archived Postings from 2011 on This Page (141):

• I just started to study on CardioVascular perfusion lookin good partner to ask suggesting question
Viktoria25, RPS, Russia, December 21, 2011

• Had a heart attack compounded by pneumonia (a real fun combination) at 52 in May 2010. Left circumflex artery (I think) 100% blocked. Yes, I know I shouldn't even be sitting here. A stent was put in, then I enjoyed three weeks in hospital, luckily very little damage was done. I'm still on Plavix 75 mg and baby aspirin, so far so good, everything's fine. I still don't know how much longer I'll be on the Plavix, yeah, it's expensive, but we get 80% back thank goodness. No noticeable side effects except I bleed a lot when the cat attacks me.
Jack, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, December 17, 2011

Pattie from San Diego, thank you so much for taking time to pass on the website info for SCAD women. I truly appreciate it. Have a Merry Christmas. :-)
xioray, Wisconsin, USA, December 13, 2011

• To all patients -- TheCeladon from California and Xioray from Wisconsin posted below about their experiences and decisions to stop post-stent dual antiplatelet therapy (Plavix or Effient plus aspirin, a.k.a. DAPT) before the one-year recommended duration. We're glad they are doing well and feel the need to point out that there are conflicting studies regarding benefit for DAPT beyond six months: some studies have shown no benefit past the six month period; some show increased adverse events if DAPT is stopped early. It is important to restate that the current recommendations and guidelines from all major cardiology professional societies, as well as the FDA, are for one year (or more) of DAPT following implantation of a drug-eluting stent, unless the patient is not tolerating the medications (for example, is experiencing bleeding complications). Also the risk of stent thrombosis (blood clotting inside the stent, which is what DAPT is meant to avoid) is increased in situations involving long or overlapping stents, narrow arteries, etc.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 13, 2011

• Forum Editor -- I did have two stents put in, end to end. Plavix and aspirin and Protonix are now giving me pancreas and stomach pains. I'm hoping that my total eight months, Effient for 3 and Plavix for 5, is enough because I have to move on and not destroy other organs through these meds.
xioray, Wisconsin, USA, December 13, 2011

• This is an updated posting [from September 6 -- Ed.]. 6 months after a DES stent I discontinued taking Plavix. I also discontinued the taking of Metoprolol, Simvastatin, and aspirin. I'm currently not taking any prescription drugs. It's been 9 months since I stopped. My cardiologist, who has a personal Plavix guideline of 2 years, says I'm lucky nothing happened. Luck has nothing to do with it. I must be doing something right. I'm not saying that Plavix is useless. But doctors need to do a better job of identifying who does or doesn't need it for extended periods of time. Why should 100 people take it when only 2 or 3 actually benefit from it? It's like blasting a shotgun into the night hoping to hit something. This is pretty poor science if you ask me. As for me I'm continuing with a strict Ornish diet, eating lots of so called "blood thinning foods", and getting lots of exercise.
TheCeladon, San Mateo, California, USA, December 13, 2011

• Dear Panel, Thank you for your discussion and replies. Very much appreciated. I have accepted now that I will have to wait until April another 5 months. But we have to be careful. Regards, Grumpy
Crucial Knee pain by Grumpy, Miami, Florida, USA, December 9, 2011

• To Xioray, please visit Inspire Women's Heart site, as there are many women with SCAD who can help answer some of your questions.
Pattie, San Diego, California, USA, December 8, 2011

• Not necessarily an answer Marvin of Murrieta, but I am online looking for the same answer. Have only been on Plavix for 2 weeks and as of yesterday I am itching more and more. Plavix is the only change I've made, and drugs.com says itching is a "less serious" side effect.
Tariah, Santa Barbara, California, USA, December 7, 2011

• Xioray in St. Paul -- you don't mention whether or not you received a stent as a repair for the dissected artery. Did you and, if so, what type? Plavix or Effient are prescribed post-stent to prevent thrombosis, a blood clot forming inside the stent.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 7, 2011

• I am a 57 yr old athletic female with no history of medical problems and have never taken any drugs. Apr/2011 I had a SCAD, spontaneous dissected artery, my LAD. Been on Effient first for 3 months, now Plavix,1/2 tablet, for 5 months. Am also taking 81 mg aspirin and 20 mg pantoprazole.I have developed hypoglycemia which is unbearable in the first five hours of the morning. I am planning on going off everything and just taking krill oil as a blood thinner. Hopefully my pancreas and liver recover and I have my life back again. Any other SCAD survivors out there? Doctors do not know much about it but prescribe the same cocktail doses as the general public. Don't they take into account that every body is different? Does anyone know a medical doctor that believes in alternative medicines in Minnesota?
xioray, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, December 6, 2011

• Abdullah in Oman -- severe itching, rash and bleeding that started shortly after you began taking new medications would seem to be related to the medicines. A number of patients have posted to this topic similar reactions to a variety of medicines. We cannot say which one, or if any of them, may be rthe problem, but ask your cardiologist again -- or perhaps get a second opinion from an allergy specialist. You are correct that itching and rash are listed as side effects for Rosuvastatin -- but uncommon. They are more commonly reported with Plavix. But don't stop taking anything without your doctor's advice. Plavix (or a substitute antiplatelet drug) is very necessary to keep your stent clear of clots for a year after the procedure.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 6, 2011

• I'm a 32 old man with Hepatitis B , I had experienced a chest pain almost two back , the angiography show I have LAD 80% proximal stenosis , therefore I was sent for CATH Procedure and one DES Stent has been put in LAD. The Doctor asked me to take , Aspirin 300, Plavix and Atenolol 25 mg and Rosuvastatin 10 mg. My question , since I started the 4 medicines and suffer now with severe skin itching especially in my leg and feet which cause some red spot and sometimes bleeding. I went back to the doctor and he told me this nothing to do with medicine where I red in the Wed , that this could be from Rosuvastatin my cholesterol result was normal ( 4.5 mmol/L) before the procedure. is the itching is because of the reaction of any of the above medicines and do i have to discontinue any of these medicines , I feel I'm still young and active. I'm also worry because Liver Doctor told me that I'm already in border line and might take medicine for HBb if the fat in my liver did not decrease and also the virus load is increased , this diagnosis was done 3 month before I had stent.
Abdullah, Oman, December 6, 2011

• Florie in Ireland and Bob R in Indiana -- Your posts are OT (off topic) since this is the topic for Plavix after stents. But quick replies -- Florie, I think you meant "three consecutive stents", and it sounds like one may have been at the bifurcation of the LAD and Diagonal. This is usually approached as a bifurcation case, using "kissing stents", but sometimes it's not possible to keep both open and the lesser vessel winds up getting blocked. Does your stress test show any ischemia? Are you having any symptoms? Bob R -- we'd suggest discussing this with the cardiologist who did the procedures to rule out that this pain is angina (probably not).
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, December 5, 2011

• hi i had three consecutive stenosis in the left anterior descending vessel to repair three narrowing and a diagonal branch of this vessel was pinched off can this cause me problems? does it shorten my life expectancy? is there any reason it should not have been pinched off male 44 5foot 11 inches 15 stone 7 lbs.
Florie, Ireland, November 30, 2011

• I have had 2 stents in my Om affer the first one in 14 months i had 2nd one 90% and then after that i had 12 wks 30% i feel the blockage in my back.
bob r, Richmond, Indiana, USA, November 30, 2011

• T.A. Sapru in Florida -- we can't give medical advice for a number of reasons, but here's some info. The question of whether or not stents are placed for monetary benefit is much in the news right now, as you may know. We're in fact about to post a story on this very topic. However, pulmonary artery stenosis is generally speaking a congenital disease, which may explain why you don't have disease in your other arteries. A blockage of 80% is usually considered significant, and use of a drug-eluting stent was probably done to prevent restenosis, so another procedure is less likely. As for medications and dosages, you should really question your cardiologist about that. Every patient's situation is different.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, November 30, 2011

• Based on family heart disease history, I had been having yearly Cardiolite stress tests and periodic CT scans . My blood pressure is normally 112/60 with LDL 88, HDL 124( high is good) and Triglycerides 60 mg. I exercise regularly and i am in good shape. My heart functions/circulation was considered pretty normal with i was evaluated as low risk for a flow blocking coronary disease even though the CT scans showed a 50% calcium score. Recently I decided to have an angiography done to ensure that all was well. I was very surprised to come out of this procedure with a DES placed in my left Pulmonary. I was told that i had 80/% blockage in that artery and that other arteries were clean. I was advised to to take 75mg Plavix, 325 mg aspirin daily for 18 months and also 25mg Atenolol, and 80mg Pravastatin daily. I have the following questions:a) Are stents placed only if needed? And not sometimes for a monetary benefit. b) Is it normal to have been prescribed 325 mg Aspirin instead of a lower dosage as part of the dual-antiplatelet therapy. c) Based on my Cholesterol levels and blood pressure, is it normal to take Atenolol 25mg and Pravastatin 80 mg (seems a very high dosage )
T A Sapru, Deland, Florida, USA, November 18, 2011

• Crucial Knee in Miami -- 6 stents is a lot and the risk of thrombosis is higher than just a single. Some studies have shown that 6 months "may" be enough, but so much depends on how many, what type and where the stents were placed. Were they overlapping, long blockages, narrow arteries. All these are risk factors for thrombosis, which would make you far more grumpier than the knee pain (stent thrombosis is 40-50% fatal). Have your cardiologist discuss this issue directly with the knee surgeon -- maybe they can come up with a solution. Also read our topic on Plavix and Surgery
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, November 10, 2011

• I have had 6 stents put in my heart. Now for the last 5 month I have osteoarthritis in my knee and need an urgent knee replacement. I asked my cardiologist to take me of the Plavix for the 2 weeks before my operation. He refuses. Now I will have to struggle walking with crucial pain for another 6 month. Question: Is it possible to do the operation anyway if I stop the Plavix temporarily for 2 weeks. Also I am getting unbearably grumpy because of the pain for my loved ones.
Crucial Knee pain by Grumpy, Miami, Florida, USA, November 6, 2011

• Kbaker from Texas -- Check out our related topic on "Financial Assistance" and scroll through to see what other patients have recommended. We know that Bristol-Myers has a financial assistance program for Plavix, but that takes a while to enroll in and patients must meet certain income guidelines. Perhaps your prescribing doctor can assist you, or possibly has some samples to tide you over. FYI, the recommended period for drug-eluting stent patients to take Plavix and aspirin is one year after stenting.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, October 23, 2011

• I NEED HELP! I had stents put in 2 years ago and my husband just dropped my insurance and I cant afford my plavix, plus all my other medicines. Went to fill my med yesterday and like to have fainted at the cost. I don't know what to do because I cant afford it but dr said it is needed. Please help me any way you can to find a way so that I can keep on taking this. I'm scared of what might happen if I don't take. I have 2 days left on med and will be out. I bought what I thought was ins but it doesn't help me at all with Plavix or Lipitor. I'm very upset with so called insurance. Thanks for any help you can give me.
kbaker, Lockhart, Texas, USA, October 23, 2011

• Debby F in Connecticut -- Both Effient and Plavix are antiplatelet drugs that are prescribed after stent placement to keep the blood from forming clots inside the stent. Plavix (a.k.a. clopidogrel) must be metabolized to be effective. Effient does not. Some people have a genetic variation which makes them low responders to Plavix (see our interview with Dr. Eric Topol). Also the effectiveness of Plavix has been shown to be lessened by a class of drugs called PPIs (Proton Pump Inhibitor). Effient does not seem to be affected. Effient, however, does have a higher risk of bleeding complications. You should ask his cardiologist exactly why he prescribed Effient instead of Plavix, and perhaps a letter from him could help.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, October 22, 2011

• Hi, my husband had stent placement in may of 2010, he was fine with his cardiologist who put him on Effient 1x daily. He has been incarcerated since march of this year and since the system won't provide his meds I have been delivering them to him. Now he got moved and the new facility wants to change him from Effient to Plavix but his Dr. was clear that he should stay on the Effient and not take any other inhibitor. My question is how dangerous is it to switch from Effient to Plavix, I read that it takes longer to metabolize Plavix, is this going to cause a problem for him. He is also on aspirin therapy as well, and taking Metoprolol too. Any info would be helpful. Thank you
Debby F, Connecticut, USA, October 19, 2011

• My mother had a stent put in on 8/29/11 she is on Plavix, Protonix and aspirin. She now has a rash covering her torso and back legs that is driving her crazy!!!!! Cortisone and Allegra don't seem to be helping.....Any ideas?
Jsalon, Northern California, USA, October 5, 2011

• Has anyone suffered terrible itching and then flaking and peeling of the skin over the entire body after taking plavix for a few months?
Marvin, Murrieta, California, USA, September 26, 2011

• Patc in Belfast -- We'd recommnd that you ask her doctor why she was put back on Plavix. High cholesterol and unstable BP would certainly be risk factors for heart disease, and Plavix is used to treat certain conditions and to lower the risk of a heart attack. From your post, it seems that she has several medical issues -- and the best source of information about her specific health problems would be her doctor, who knows her and has all her records -- we would urge you to discuss your mom's health issues directly with her doctor. Hope this helps.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 26, 2011

• hi, I'm inquiring on behalf of my mum, she had been taken off plavix as she was told it counteracted other medication she had been prescribed and because she took aspirin the doctor did not feel she needed it. This year she has been put back on it with no explanation as to why, she suffers from high cholesterol and unstable blood pressure, but the family has never been told about any heart problems. My main concern is that my mum has stage 3 kidney disease and a lot of tabs seem to aggravate this condition, is plavix one of them ? She is also on.. aprovel 150, nicrorandil, bisoprolol 5, nexium 40, atorvastatin 10, aspirin 75, galfer, prochlorperazine, and betahistine 16, she also is given an injection of hydroxocobalamin when needed. My concerns of the effects of medication started after she was given aciclovir for suspected shingles, but this medication attacked the kidneys and resulted in her going into renal failure. As my mum has not been affected by stroke or a heart attack should she be on plavix?
patc, Belfast, Northern Ireland, September 25, 2011

• Dsue -- guidelines after placement of a drug-eluting stent are for one year of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) -- which is clopidogrel (Plavix) or now prasugrel (Effient) AND aspirin. After a year it's up to you and your cardiologist. Some recommend staying on DAPT (and this is an individual call) but most would say to continue on aspirin. Bare metal stents require less time on DAPT. It's important to note that certain patients, types of anatomy, number/length/diameter of stent may be more prone to thrombosis (clotting) and so your cardiologist may be more comfortable giving you a longer period.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 24, 2011

• So do I understand this correctly a person who had a stent placed need only be on Plavix for a year. then Aspirin. correct???
Dsue, vitas hospice, Ormond Beach, Florida, USA, September 15, 2011

• SAM -- these are complex issues. Our advice is to consult his cardiologist.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 15, 2011

• Richare in Washington State -- Wow! If you found information on our site about Plavix causing stents to clog, please let us know and we'll remove it ASAP. Just kidding, because there isn't such a recommendation on Angioplasty.Org. Plavix is an antiplatelet drug and specifically prevents blood cells (platelets) from clogging a stent. Endothelial cells are another story. They are supposed to cover the metal stent struts -- it's called healing. But when they start covering the stent too much, as a response to the foreign body, they can clog the stent with tissue, causing restenosis (a.k.a. intimal hyperplasia). It's not acute or sudden and builds up over time (unlike stent thrombosis which is a blood clot, is acute, and causes a heart attack 40% of the time). But Plavix doesn't affect the endothelial cells one way or another. The reason drug-eluting stents were developed was to keep the endothelial cells from proliferating too much, and thus reduce restenosis.

As for weaning yourself off of Plavix, the "Plavix rebound" study was indeed reported on Angioplasty.Org. It hasn't been proven, although a small study found it to be not valid. However authors of that report, Drs. Rumsfeld and Ho of the Denver VA, have continued their research, which is all anecdotal, meaning that they have assessed the incidents, but have not found any medical trigger or mechanism to prove that the rebound effect occurs. Dr. Rumsfeld also has told us that there's no evidence that tapering Plavix is a solution, but he did say, in effect, "it couldn't hurt!" -- by the way, Dr. Rumsfeld is one of the top cardiologists in the U.S., holds many leadership positions and is currently the Acting Director for Cardiology of the Veterans Health Administration -- so this is no minor report. Your nurse might be interested in their research.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 14, 2011

• I have read (on this site, I believe) that 20% patients who have a bare metal stent and continue to take Plavix longer than a couple of months have a situation where the endothelial cells proliferate to the extent that they effectively clog the stent. In other words continued Plavix can be dangerous. But I've also read that abrupt stopping of Plavix can have a "Plavix rebound" effect and thrombosis can occur and there is twice the chance in the first 90 days after Plavix sudden withdrawal of having a heart attack. My new cardiologist today told me (well his spokesperson nurse did) that I could stop taking Plavix now (I've been on it for six months) but when I mentioned the rebound effect and suggested I slowly ease myself off Plavix she said that in her 15 years in cardiology she had not heard of any problems with sudden withdrawal from Plavix. (Well, easy for her to say!) I'm considering taking half a 75mg Plavix for several weeks daily then changing to a quarter pill for another several weeks and then stopping. Of course I'd continue with aspirin. Any you MDs out there have an opinion on this course of action?
Richare, Washington State, USA, September 12, 2011

• My father is a long time liver cirrhosis and diabetic patient. on sept 1, he has been implanted with a bare stent due to a 95% block in his main left artery. his platelet was low (78) during angioplasty. yesterday his platelet went down to 44 which alarmed us. he is on plavix and aspirin along with few other medication for his diabetes and prostate. i have read that blood thinners needs to be stopped if platelet count is too low. please suggest what other options are there!
SAM, Dhaka, Bangladesh, September 12, 2011

• Oldie in Guatelmala -- antiplatelet meds can have a variety of side effects, gastro-intestinal being definitely one. You should discuss your drug regimen with your cardiologist -- bare metal stents usually mean 6 months of Plavix and aspirin -- but don't change things until you've discussed this with your cardio. And congratulations on being in "top condition" at 83!!
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 12, 2011

 

• Janama -- the cardiologists in Gold Coast Hospital gave you the recommendations that are in all guidelines. One year of dual antiplatelet therapy (Plavix and aspirin) after a drug-eluting stent. Because it sounds like you may have gotten an overlapping stent to "extend" the initial stent, it might not be unwise to continue for longer, because overlapping stents can be somewhat more prone to thrombosis -- but this depends on many factors and again, one year is the standard recommendation.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 10, 2011

• I recently had another minor heart attack - this time I was admitted to the Gold Coast Hospital where almost all the cardiologists were of Indian origin. This time they entered via the wrist which was so much better than via the leg. The following morning the doctor informed me that he had extended the stent as the first stent was too short thus causing the second attack. He informed me I should be on Plavix and aspirin for a period of 1 year, after that I could chose to continue with either Plavix OR aspirin. This totally contradicted my local doctors who were insisting that I should be on Plavix and aspirin for the rest of my life. I'm going with the Indian doctor's advice.
Janama, Australia, September 8, 2011

• I had a BMS (95% block RCA) 16 months ago. Stress test three months ago. cardio said I was in 'top condition'. Hard exercise shows this too. But around b'fast time I get nausea, anxiety knots in abdomen moving from diaphragm to stomach to gut, dizziness, fatigue etc. I have had post stress trauma symptoms for 30 years. Could 16 months plavix and aspirin exacerbate these, particularly in guts? I'm 83, by the way.
oldie, villa Nueva, Guatemala, September 8, 2011

• Hello, I am a 58 year old female. I took aspirin 75 mg for 4 years along with Glucophage 750 mg (3 times a day) for Diabetes Mellitus, one tablet of Approvel 150 mg for hypertension and one tablet of Neurobion tablet. Due to prolonged gastric problem, I stopped taking aspirin for 8 months. I am afraid that I may get a stroke. Do I have to do a CT scan of my brain. Doctor has recommended Clopilet 75 mg (Clopidogrel) to take daily once which will not give rise to gastric problem. I am going to take Clopilet from tomorrow. Please advise if I have to do a CT scan since I have not had any blood thinner for 8 months. I would appreciate your assistance.Many thanks.
Maria, , Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain, September 7, 2011

• Chris from Mississippi -- see our Forum Topic on "Financial Assistance for Plavix and Other Prescription Drugs".
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 6, 2011

• I have been taking Plavix,Crestor, Metoprolol, Lisinopril for 2 years. I have no insurance now and Plavix is $200.00 toooo expensive for me. My question is can I take an 81mg Aspirin without worry about blood clots. And I also have an stent. Is there a free discount card out there that takes 50% of these drugs...
Chris, Taylor, Mississippi, USA, September 6, 2011

• I am 54 yr old male & had a taxus Express2 coated stent in the LAD back in 2007. I have been on Plavix & 81 mg aspirin ever since along with NSAID for Ra. Last Sat I stopped all NSAIDs and plavix for an upcoming knee surgery. As of today feel less tired. I started having more energy yesterday evening. Is taking just 81mg aspirin enough 4 yrs later? I see tiredness is a side effect of Plavix. I know DR's are aware of the extra danger from coated stents. It sure is great having more energy and not waking up so tired in the mornings.
David, Atlanta, Georgia, USA, September 6, 2011

• DES stent one year ago. I stopped taking both Plavix and Aspirin after 6 months due to severe pain that they caused to a hiatal hernia verified by endoscopy. I don't take any prescription drugs at the moment. I take omega3, a multivitamin, calcium, and Benecol chews to lower cholesterol. I've also become a vegan. LDL 80-90, BP 105/68
TheCeladon, San Mateo, California, USA, September 6, 2011

• N.K. Jain in India -- In the U.S., guidelines after placement of a drug-eluting (medicated) stent are for one year of dual-antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) -- which is clopidogrel (Plavix) or now prasugrel (Effient) AND aspirin. In India you may have other antiplatelet drugs available as well. After a year it's up to you and your cardiologist. Some recommend staying on DAPT (and this is an individual call) but most would say to continue on aspirin. Bare metal stents require less time on DAPT. It's important to note that certain patients, types of anatomy, number/length/diameter of stent may be more prone to thrombosis (clotting) and so your cardiologist may be more comfortable giving you a longer period.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 6, 2011

• The entire reading of above leads to no Final Conclusion. Any way I need advice. I suffered heart Attack and thrombosis on 6th june 2010 . After Thrombosis Medicated Stent was placed on 7th June. I was prescribed Clopidogrel 75 mg and Aspirin 150 Mg till now. Now the Cardiologist has advised discontinuance of Aspirin saying no need of Dual antiplatelet agents. But Other Doctors surprised..They favour Aspirin compared to Clopidogrel. By Gods grace I faced no serious side effects in stomach but suffered Short Memory Loss /Hair Fall/ Headache/poor vision etc. My main question...Should I go for Clopidogrel 75 Mg ? or Aspirin 75 Mg/150Mg. Other Medicines being taken are Remipril 1.25 Mg Atorvastatin 10 mg and Metoprolol 12.5 mg.
N.K.Jain, United Bank of India, New Delhi, India, September 2, 2011

• My Mom had a stent put in several years ago, but it didn't work. She has been on Plavix every since. Is it still necessary for her to take this drug?
gerrim, Hot Springs Village, Arkansas, USA, September 1, 2011

• Concerned in Minneapolis -- see our Forum Topic on "Plavix and Surgery".
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, September 1, 2011

• My mom had a DES placed in May. She is on plavix and 325mg aspirin. Now is having debilitating abdominal pain. She had a ct scan and they saw reason to have a colonoscopy for a possible mass. They want her to stop the aspirin and plavix. Can she be placed on any other medications like heparin to protect her stent for this procedure?
Concerned for mom, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA, August 29, 2011

• Miller Bay from Mississippi -- if you started taking Plavix ten years ago, we're assuming it was not because you had received a stent -- which is what this topic is about. Or, if it was, you had received a bare metal stent which only requires 4-6 weeks of Plavix and aspirin. Let me correct any misperception about Plavix. For patients taking Plavix post-DES stenting, 81mg of aspirin is NOT the same as taking aspirin plus Plavix (or now Effient instead of Plavix). Failure to take the correct dosage of antiplatelet meds for the recommended period (one year after drug-eluting stent implantation) may result in blood clotting inside the stent, causing heart attack, etc. So is aspirin the same as Plavix? Perhaps in your specific situation it was, but for stent patients it most definitely is not.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 25, 2011

• Hi, I was put on Plavix and had very serious side effects I continued because my MD said so. Then got a Thanksgiving Day visit from two nephews who are both drug sales men. Both told me that tests years ago proved that Plavix, Crestor and whatever the third medication is are no more effective then 81mg aspirin alone. I asked my Pharmacist who said yes true and asked my Dr. if true he said yes it is true. This is my tenth year off the medication and I am doing fine. Probably can find test and results with some internet investigation.
L Miller Bay, retired High School Principal, St. Louis, Mississippi, August 25, 2011

• Audrey64 -- Clopidogrel can cause stomach upset as well. It is more powerful than aspirin in terms of keeping the blood "slippery", although post-DES a regimen of both aspirin and clopidogrel is what is normally used. The lansoprazole should help with these problems. How long ago were you stented and was it a drug-eluting stent (DES) or bare metal?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 20, 2011

• after 2 heart attacks i have a stent fitted and have been on aspirin for 10 years. i also take lansoprazole,diltiazem 300 la,nicorandil, simvastatin,and losarton. Recently am having stomach problems and the doctor has taken me off aspirin and put me on clopidogrel. Will this do the same job as the aspirin and will it upset my stomach?
Audrey 64, Warwickshire, England, August 12, 2011

• Response to "NeedRelief, Miami, Florida, USA, May 12, 2011" This sounds similar to what I had four days after my Stent. It lasted about a month with medication. The rash was caused by the the antiseptic CLOROPREP that is spread over your stomach and groin areas prior to the stent procedure. Rash on Stomach, bottom of feet, arm pits, palms of hands, etc. I was allergic to CLOROPREP.
Pete, Illinois, USA, August 10, 2011

• Debra in Arkansas -- One of the issues with drug-eluting stents is the concern over Very Late Stent Thrombosis -- blood clots occurring one or more years after stenting. This is a rare occurrence, although more noted with the first generation of drug-eluting stents such as the Taxus. Current recommendations are for one year of Plavix after DES, but some cardiologists prescribe it for longer. Have you expressed your concern to your cardiologist? -- And Rashid in Pakistan, guidelines in the U.S. and Europe recommend only a couple months of Plavix and aspirin after a bare metal stent (which the Driver is). But you should discuss this issue with your cardiologist, because there are other reasons that Plavix is prescribed besides prevention of stent thrombosis.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 9, 2011

• A DRIVER CORONARY STENT was implanted in my LCX artery in June 2009. Since then I am on 75 mg PLAVIX and 81 mg ASPIRIN. Can any one guide me that How long do I need to take PLAVIX, because it is very expensive. Can I take only ASPIRIN, instead of both antiplatlet medicines?
RASHID, PAKISTAN STEEL, KARACHI, PAKISTAN, August 3, 2011

• I received a Scimed/Medinol 15 NIR Elite OTW 2.5 stent for my LAD in 2001 and 5 months later a second one inserted into the first due to blockage of first stent. In 2009 I received a Taxus 2.5mm X 12mm drug eluting stent for a 90% blockage in my RAD. I have been on Plavix and 81mg aspirin since 2001. My doctor just took me off of Plavix 2011. I am having dizziness and shortness of breath but no angina. I'm 65 Lbs overweight, and have pain in feet, ankles, and legs. At night it feels like bugs are crawling on my legs and arms. I'm on Verapamil, and Crestor. I am afraid without the Plavix I may get a blood clot.
Debra B., Benton, Arkansas, USA, August 1, 2011

• Juglebug -- this is the most often-asked question...and no cardiologist has a definitive answer. Recommendations are for one year of Plavix and aspirin. In clinical trials, the rate of late stent thrombosis (blood clots after one year) for the CYPHER stent have been around 0.2% per year, or 1 in 500.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, August 1, 2011

• In June of 2010 I had a CYPHER Sirolimus-eluting type stent put into a minor artery in the back of my heart - had a 75% blockage - no heart attack prior, just some angina - two episodes in two years. I am still on Plavix and 81 mg of aspirin. Plavix has had awful side effects and I am now at the point where there are very few shoes I can wear without getting deep bruising in my feet. I was also put on Protonix because of the bad stomach side effects (I have a history of ulcers).Are there any studies on blood clots forming after 1 year in the type of stent I have? I want to go off this drug plavix if the risk is not too great.
Juglebug, Greenville, South Carolina, USA, July 31, 2011

 

• Ann in Iowa -- guidelines recommend 4-6 weeks of Plavix and aspirin after a bare metal stent, possibly up to 6 months, if the patient is tolerating the drugs. But there are other reasons for taking Plavix besides prevention of blood clotting in the stent. There is much debate in the cardiology community as to the need for long-term antiplatelet therapy, so this would be a discussion to have with your cardiologist.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, July 30, 2011

• Had a mild heart attack and bare stent placed in left main rear coronary artery March 2002. Was placed on 325 mg aspirin and 75 mg Plavix for one month. At the end of that time, was extended to 6 months, then to one year and finally ~forever~ each time because tests supposedly showed it was safer for longer period of time than previously thought. Now, July 2011, just before having surgery, I had to go off both aspirin and Plavix and my new cardiologist suddenly announced that I am now off of Plavix for good (as of late May), but I have no idea why, as he spoke to the hospital and surgeon. I don't have a consult with him again until December and would like to know if there is some new information/study that indicates I should get off of the drug...or maybe at this point, it isn't proving much to take it.???? Help?
Ann, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, USA, July 24, 2011

• I am on 81 MG of Aspirin and 10 MG /Day of Warfarin. The warfarin is due to also having A-Fib along with 3 stents for 4 blockages that were treated with a Drug coated stent and the Dr. felt that if I continued the Plavix it would be overkill. He now wants me to switch from Warfarin to Pradaxa but I am comfortable with the warfarin since I have been on it for quite a while and my PT/INR testing is not a big deal. In your opinion is there any advantage of Pradaxa vs. Warfarin that would justify the switch?
Rick, New York, New York, USA, July 14, 2011

• Hi, I am a 60 yr old in New Zealand. I had 2 events of palpitations, no heart attack or anything else. I have been a very healthy person and have had no need of a doctor in the past 37 yrs (since my last son was born). Despite my blood tests and cholesterol tests all coming back as being good,they put in for an angiogram and place a DES stent in (which took them 3 hours to do instead of the 30 minutes they said it would take (they described the procedure as 'tortuous' in my discharge papers. The pain I suffered during this process was unbearable & I felt that I almost died. Then they put me on Aspirin, Clopidogrel, Simvastatin, and Betaloc. Since then (3 months ago) I have had chest & back pains, upset stomach, headaches, dizziness & fuzziness, and sweats ( and I didn't even get them during my menopause !). On querying the cardiologist his reply was "you don't want to come back with a heart attack do you?". Not satisfied - I investigated further and am in process of coming off the medication. I believe it is having the opposite effect on the symptoms it is meant to alleviate, but I didn't have in the first place. Bottom line-I have been 'practised on' by a teaching hospital.
Mary T, Mary Tonner Consulting, Auckland, New Zealand, July 10, 2011

• Paul -- The only two stents approved for use around that time were the Gianturco-Roubin (Cook) and the Palmaz-Schatz (Cordis/J&J). Both are bare metal stents, made of surgical stainless steel.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 27, 2011

• I had a stent/balloon placed after i had a heart attack in dec 1992 and angioplasty in Jan 1993. Could any one has any idea what kind of stent it might have been used. Whether it was plastic or steel made. Desperate for this information. in San Bernardino, California.
Paul Dayal, Ontario, California, USA, June 27, 2011

• A.M.Wootton (48 of years) Been on Plavix/Lipitor for over 7 years. Drug eluting stent - put in 2004 - I have many of the side effect as that have been said. Doing a test in other direction. Trying to stop Lipitor/Vytorin/Plavix/Crestor. I have done so. All seems to good to be true - all going OK. Into about 6 weeks and would like to give you all a better understanding of what happens over a longer time. I am trying some other ways - most days are good but then I get one out of two weeks that is not so good, seems normal. Seems most problems stopped when I decided to come off Lipitor/Vytorin/Plavix (for my body type). What has happened since coming off Plavix/Vytorin/Lipitor - all fine very very good for 2 to 3 weeks ( many pains subsided, even the brain starts to perform again) and then there is a slow up time - blood pressure readings seems a bit all over the place and then, I found a new meaning to feeling cold and I mean very cold, it lasted for 2 days. But today all good.
A.M. Wootton, Australia, June 20, 2011

• Ron -- check out the related topic on "Not Feeling Well After Stenting" and you'll see that a large number of patients have strange feelings after stenting, and we believe most of these are due to, as you have guessed, the medications they are suddenly taking, mny for the first time. ACE inhibitors, beta blockers, etc. all can have various side effects, such as fatigue, dizziness, etc. Discuss your side effects with your cardiologist and see if some adjustmnts can be made to your drug regimen -- you should be feeling better after getting your artery opened up, not worse!
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 16, 2011

• I have just had a stent inserted due to a 99% blockage of an artery in the front portion of my heart. It is now one day later and it is 1am at nite and I am awake , anxious, sweating excessively,and having some orientation issues. I was immediately placed on a Plavix regimen, combined with Lipitor, Lisinopril and 325mg of aspirin and Toprol. All of this in addition to being an insulin dependent diabetic with glucose scores running in the 250 range. I am having trouble sleeping and feel certain that one or several of these drugs are causing some adverse interactions. I am not anxious in reference to the surgery, but rather more anxious as to the amount of drugs I am now taking.
Ron from Minnesota, Fort Worth, Texas, USA, June 8, 2011

• Lois -- the reason to stay on Plavix is to prevent the blood (platelets) from clotting around the stent. Aclled late stent thrombosis, this can cause severe angina, a heart attack, can even be fatal. Your husband is around 6 months out, which used to be the required time for Plavix and aspirin. But instances of late stent thrombosis worried cardiologists and the FDA, so the time period was lengthened to a year. The need for extended Plavix can depend on a number of things: the type of DES, how many, the length of the stent, whether stents were overlapped or placed in a very narrow vessel. We would suggest discussing this issue further with your cardiologist, and weighing the risk/benefit of stopping.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, June 5, 2011

• Query: Husband had DES inserted in LAD January '11 (70% blockage). Began Plavix 75 mg & 325 mg aspirin. Due to prostate cancer, he had a penile prosthesis inserted, which unfortunately developed a mechanical failure. Without the implant, he is 100% impotent. Urologist says he can have a revision surgery scheduled in 3 weeks BUT he has to be off Plavix about 2 weeks (7 days before and after). Cardiologist says no way - he has to wait 12 months. Husband is incensed at this (I'm not pleased either). Now hubby is considering going off Plavix on his own. Any comments? Husband is 59 y/o, non-diabetic, one stent, active, not overweight, no other health issues. Cancer is in full remission. Thanks.
Lois, Ohio, USA, May 29, 2011

• hopper52 -- the guidelines state 12 months. You are correct that there have been a few studies that show no benefit in specific populations for 12 months over 6. Read this blog post "Plavix After Stents: How Long?" on the subject and also our interview with Dr. Fausto Feres of Brazil. -- late update: also read our more recent reply to Lois on June 5 (above).
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 28, 2011

• I had 3 Promus DES placed in my RCA in Dec 2010. Have been on 75mg Plavix and 325mg aspirin since with instructions for a min of one year. I was diagnosed with esophageal cancer in April and am currently undergoing radiation and chemo which will be followed by removal of my esophagus approx Aug-Sep. My cardiologist doesn't want to bend on the Plavix 12 mos (liability?) but I have to stop Plavix before the surgery. Do I stop Plavix and risk thrombosis or do I let this cancer kill me for sure. I'll be about 9 months along at surgery time. I know the South Koreans are doing a study of 6 mos vs 12 mos but the results are not due out until 2014. Are there any other studies out there that anyone is aware of or maybe some statistics for stent thrombosis for people who stop prior to 12 months, i.e. 1 in 100, 50 in 100, etc. I'm going to have to make a decision and I want to be informed as much as possible when making it. I'm looking for stats to best make a calculated risk but everything I've found seems pretty dated.
hopper52, Brandon, Florida, USA, May 28, 2011

• One DES in Sep 2010 after heart attack. Prescribed Plavix and aspirin 81mg. Took the full dose of Plavix for a couple weeks then started cutting back because of stomach pain. Cut it in half then in half again then tiny little pieces. I decided to quit Plavix altogether. That was 2 months ago. Still taking aspirin though. I want to add that I became a vegan, get lots of exercise, take omega-3, and a cardio multivitamin. I also cut the statin drugs. I achieved an LDL of 81 on Benecol chews alone. (previous LDL 111)
KC, Burlingame, California, USA, May 22, 2011

• Discharged from ER @ Hospital approx. 9:30 p.m. last night , reason for going , a bruise / swelling appeared upon wakening on inner left forearm it was approx. 1x1.5 inches , there was a slight appearance of a continuing blueness towards the hand . At first I thought perhaps DVT ( deep vein thrombosis ) they usually occur in the leg but are possible in arms as well , being that this PLAVIX continues to bring about " idiopathic " symptoms of pretty much every illness under the sun I decided I'd better get it check out especially if it was DVT , there was no way I was going to wait until Tues. @ 7 p.m. to see me primary for the next appt. available . At the ER a blood test was taken , a sonogram was performed and I was discharged , platelet count was OK . I wish either the manufacturer of this stuff , Bristol Myers / Sanofi Aventis would inform those Drs. rx' ing this stuff to at least give the patient a pamphlet of sorts . Since I've been taking Plavix , seizures have four folded and worsened in severity , bleeding ulcers , capillary fragility in both arms and now hematoma's at random , the prior two were approx. 1/8 of an inch , groin and shoulder . Knowledge is wonderful the hard way .
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, May 14, 2011

• I hope this post might shed some light on the " less informed " RAYNAUDS PHENOMENOM and PLAVIX , how this for lack of a better word " Poison " got into the Drug Supply System is beyond me , perhaps the close to 8 BILLION in profits BMY , Bristol Myers and it's partner might know . As of this morning a mysterious greenish / bluish bump began on my forearm and as I sit here typing there is a continuance of a bluish line ascending toward my hand . As I've mentioned in Prior posts I have been on multiple drug therapy for over 35 years and in that time have yet to ever come into contact with a drug as harmful as PLAVIX , from grand mal seizures , excruciating headaches , discharge of lots of blood with bowel relief ( ulcers of course ) along with chronic painful ulcers . I wouldn't give this medicine ( Plavix ) to an Animal even if its life depended on it . Tomorrow ought to be interesting upon awakening to see where this goes from here . We are mere specimens it seems for the Universities and Major Corporations involved in profiting from others miseries , sad .
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, May 12, 2011

• NeedRelief in Florida -- strange reaction and the pain is not one associated with Plavix (sometimes statins can cause muscle and joint pain, however -- is he taking a statin drug?). An outside possibility is an allergy to the stent. Does he have any metal allergies? And what type/brand of stent did he get?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 12, 2011

• My husband had a stent put in on April 13, 2011 and was put on Plavix along with a low-dose aspirin. He is a 47 year old healthy active man, sleek arteries, low cholesterol levels, etc. Only issue was in one curved area of the left anterior artery. After 2 weeks on Plavix (he has never been on any other medication prior) he developed hives on his stomach, it continued spreading and swelling in a matter of days along with a fever. At first we thought it was something he ate but after 4 -5 days of severe itching and hives he went to his cardiologist - who also assumed it was food related - but was taken off of Plavix as a precaution. One week after hives finally disappeared he began with sharp pains on the soles of his feet. Within 24 hours it traveled to his legs, elbows, shoulders, hips, last night left knee & arms. The pain is crippling. He can barely move or walk, coming from a man who was in great health prior to a month ago. I have been helping him shower, get dressed, go up or down stairs. The pain is so, that he wakes up in the middle of the night in cold sweats, severe chills (some nights,a low grade fever). Can anyone tell us how long it takes for these side effects to stop?
NeedRelief, Miami, Florida, USA, May 12, 2011

• Allen B -- stomach upset is a known side effect of Plavix and the Zantac should be of help there. But perhaps you need a stronger drug for that. Are you taking any statins? They sometimes cause muscle wasting, fatigue, etc.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 12, 2011

• I had DES placed in my LAD on April 15 2011. I'm on Plavix 75mg and aspirin 325mg Zantac 150mg 2x day. I have severe weakness in my muscles especially arms and shoulders. I get dizziness and headache also. Stomach and indigestion I have only been on the meds about a month. My side effects seem to get worse every day. Is there any other med besides Plavix which is causing my side effects.
Allen B., Baltimore, Maryland, USA, May 11, 2011

• I had started taking a teaspoon of 100% pure virgin olive oil 30 minutes prior to breakfast and the same prior to supper approx. 3 weeks ago , it has been approx. 2 weeks now and my ulcer or ulcers annoyance stopped . The ulcers began after taking Plavix approx. 3 months prior.
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, May 10, 2011

• Male with 3 stents -- did your cardiologist think that the statin might be causing this? Also, do you have any mtal allergies? Stents contain metal and a number of patients have reported reactions.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 10, 2011

• I had a heart attack 5 months ago and was prescribed metoprolol ( B-blockers), 75 mg plavix, aspirin, and 40 mg simvastatin One month ago started experiencing chronic cough, rhinitis, itchy throat. With doctor's permission dropped metoprolol but now it's a month and no relief. Is this a plavix symptom, simvastatin, soy milk, or simply a virus which my General Practitioner tells me but I don't believe. Help!
male 57 with 3 stents, Raleigh, North Carolina, USA, May 10, 2011

• Had two DES stents inserted in June 2010. Just received ok from cardiologist to discontinue Plavix in June 2011. I am also on simvastatin and metoprolol and 81mg aspirin which will continue. I am 63 and am mildly concerned with how to stop taking Plavix and this forum has been very informative if not specific because of individual differences in patients. Some very sad commentary on our medical system in this forum. I think we do not have a bad health care system but we do have a terrible health insurance system. Best of luck to all
Dennis, Bellingham, Washington, USA, May 8, 2011

• Sundance16 -- Even though what you described are not "common" side effects of Plavix, they may be due to the drug, assuming that you hadn't started any other new medications at the same time. For example, muscle and joint pain is something more commonly seen as a side effect of statins. In any case, you're doing the right thing by consulting your cardiologist (we assume your "doctor" is your cardiologist in this case). FYI, Plavix is given for a number of reasons. For stent patients it is specifically given to prevent blood clots in the stent, not to prevent the reblockage caused by plaque, and even then Plavix/aspirin is only considered necessary until the stent "heals" -- in the case of a bare metal stent 2-6 months is the guideline. You are well past that point. Let us know the outcome of your visit.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 6, 2011

• The data sheet supplied with the Plavix states these side affects along with the joint pain in my knees and calf that I didn't mention.The feeling of out of sorts may be pre TTP scaring the hell out of me. I have a doctor appointment today and I think I'm going to need a real good explanation for me to continue this med. 4 years using aspirin and without Plavix resulted in no more build up in the arteries.
Sundance16, Manahawkin, New Jersey, USA, May 6, 2011

• Sundance16 in New Jersey -- These are not common side effects of the drugs you are taking. When did you have the cath?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 5, 2011

• I had a Cath to see if blockage had returned from a stent (bare metal) in 2007. No new scarring or blockage observed. Plavix was prescribed along with a 325mg aspirin. I feel out of sorts a little short of breath and occasional chills. Should I be concerned?
Sundance16, Manahawkin, New Jersey, USA, May 5, 2011

• Rainman -- Although I think your post would be more appropriate in our Forum Topic on "Angioplasty, Bypass or Medication?", thanks for sending this article in. It's certainly a hot topic! But wow! -- how can a major news outlet like Bloomberg get the story so wrong. The real story from this study, that appeared in Tuesday's JAMA, is that ALL revascularization has gone down: surgery by 38%, but stenting also decreased slightly. And the story is not that "patients are turning to stents", but that some patients who previously were only candidates for surgery are now being stented -- and some who were previously stented are being managed with medication only. And Ms. Cortez' assertion that "Recent studies show open-heart surgery is better than artery-clearing procedures that use metal stents" is just flat out wrong! How can I say this? Because I spent a half hour on the phone yesterday with Dr. Groeneveld, the author of the study, and we will be posting that interview shortly. It's very interesting and we talked about patient participation in guiding therapy.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 5, 2011

• Interesting news ... http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-05-03/heart-bypass-surgery-rates-plummet-as-patients-turn-to-stents.html?cmpd=yahoo..... seems ironic "Patients turn to stents", when is the last time you told your Dr. what to do or how to do it and they did? After reading the above article draw your own conclusions .
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, May 5, 2011

• After relentless online searching I have yet to come up with The University or Universities involved in the manufacture of Plavix along with adverse reactions during testing compared to placebo's . And those involved in it's patent whether they are or are not a Board member of BMY , Astra Zeneca . Simply speaking who and where it was developed. My 90 minute Post Plavix Ulcer tells me there is something amiss with this product . I have been taking other prescriptions for in excess of 35 years and have yet to ever come accross one such as Plavix .
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, May 1, 2011

• Dr. M. -- We do not and cannot dispense "medical advice" per se -- that being said, your patient obviously has a complex clinical situation, specifically pertaining to blood diseases, hepatitis, etc. The problem is that a patient with a drug-eluting stent should have a year of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and clopidogrel or similar thienopyridine) -- which sounds like it may be problematic. Bare metal stents are anywhere from 2-6 months, depending on which study you believe.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, May 1, 2011

• 60 yr old male,known to be HCV, HBV +VE. HIS PLATELET COUNT IS 30000 AND AFTER PLATELET TRANSFUSION 83000, HE PRESENTED TO HOSPITAL WITH ISCHEMIC MANIFESTATIONS: should he receive antiplatelets, if he did coronary angiography and stenting what antiplatelet regimen he should follow??
Dr. M., Assih Hospital, Cairo, EGYPT, May 1, 2011

• As you relate, it is very hard to pin down what the seeming allergic reactions are to. You should check out the related topics on "Allergy to DES" and "Metal Allergies" also. We are cross-posting your story in those topics as well. We have recently (just this week) gotten in several stories like yours from patients who have gotten Xience/Promus stents and we have forwarded those to two very well-known cardiologists who have been dealing with stent allergic reactions. One has written that these were the first instances he had heard of such reactions concerning the Xience/Promus stents. We are waiting for more info. These stents definitely contain nickel. In fact, Abbott Vascular has posted a warning online about this issue.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 30, 2011

• My “kid” sister, age 65, recently had three DES Xience-V stents implanted on 2/28/2011, followed by an Aspirin/Plavix regimen. In 2007 she had three uncoated stents implanted in her right femoral artery. (She never “felt right” after the Feb. 28th stent insertion.). She is in a constant “allergic state” w extreme fatigue and her doctors are puzzled. (She has a “known” topical allergy to nickel.) Here’s a chronology of what’s happened: March 1st tingling in her arms/legs begins; 3/15 major rash with blotching all over her body – Dr switches to Effient (20 mg daily); 4/13 she's rushed to ER in anaphylactic shock – presumed allergic reaction to Effient? – Dr. places her on Ticlid 500 mgm BID; 4/17 severe muscle pain arms/legs – tingling in most nerve endings; 4/20 Dr. prescribes Prednisone; 4/30 itching begins on bottom of feet – Drs. going back to Plavix w Prednisone! WOW? Any ideas?
ConcernedBro, Kingwood, Texas, USA, April 30, 2011

• Reading a great book , titled ... " Science in the Private Interest " , has the lure of profit's corrupted Biomedical Science . written by , Sheldon Krimsky . Sheldon Krimsky is professor in the Dept. of Urban and Environmental Policy and Planning at Tufts University. He is the Author of six books and more than one hundred essays and reviews . I am seeing why the chronic ulcers along with other problems peoples are having when taking this drug Plavix . For the few many are dealing with pain for the sake of profit .
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, April 27, 2011

• I'm 55 years old had a heart attack while at work 2011. Had to put a stent on one of the veins coming out of an artery. They found out that I had high cholesterol which gave me the heart attack. Now I'm taking clopidogrel bisulfate (Plavix), isosorbide mononitrate, carvedilol, rosuvastatin CA, omeprazole and aspirin. Also on a strict diet and mild exercise. Family history of heart attacks and high cholesterol. Bottom line, it's in the family genes.
Mel, California, USA, April 26, 2011

• New Your FM -- Recommendations are for one year of dual antiplatelet therapy (aspirin and Plavix or similar) after a drug-eluting stent, six months or less for a bare metal. These drugs keep the blood from clotting inside the stent, so the other side of the coin is that they can cause bleeding, as you've described. There are a couple other meds besides clopidogrel (Plavix), but they all do the same thing -- keep the blood from clotting. We urge you to discuss this issue with your interventional cardiologist. Perhaps a platelet test could guide your therapy more specifically (this is an issue of much discussion -- see our recent review of the GRAVITAS study).
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 26, 2011

• I am concerned about using plavix and aspirin after a stent procedure with an already LOW normal platelet count. If I get a cut now I need to apply pressure for 15 or more minutes. What are other Rx options?
New York FM, New York, USA, April 26, 2011

• Denver-sb -- Stent thrombosis is something that occurs quite rapidly when it happens. Why it happens and when are still a bit of a medical mystery -- and to a great extent that's because stent thrombosis is a relatively rare event, especially this far out, and especially with the second generation of drug-eluting stents like the Promus, Xience or Endeavor (in trials the rates at one year have been around 0.5% or lower -- and many of those occurred in the first 30 days. There certainly are some indicators for increased risk in terms of anatomy, length and diameter of stent, presence of diabetes, etc. And much debate now is centered on the efficacy of platelet reactivity tests. These measure if the platelets in your blood are abnormally "active" and thus more likely to stick together.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 23, 2011

• I've started tapering off Plavix after 20 months (my doctor told me I could stop taking it at 13 months but I opted to stay on it longer). I'm going off because I need to get some hip resurfacing. (I have a promus DES in the LAD.) While tapering I took .5 tablet for 10 days, and .25 for 7 days (just to ease my anxiety at going off).I have also increased my aspirin to 325mg per day. My question is, if a thrombosis was likely to develop how long would it take?
Denver-sb, Denver, Colorado, USA, April 23, 2011

• Once again I am writing in regards to Plavix & Aspirin , I stopped taking the 325mg. and went back to the 80mg., along w/ olive oil 2X daily , much better quality of life , blood test shows no change in Platelets , no excessive blood in bowel movement , bruising , capillary breaking etc. a book " Science in the Private Interest " by Sheldon Krimsky is on its way as I type, the PPI works, Prof. Krimsky teaches in Public Health and Family Medicine in the School of Medicine @ Tufts Univ., after viewing " Generation Rx " more opinions similar to his are needed in today's Drug Mnftring. and Approval process , including the FDA and outside influence . Those working along with and representing major drug manufacturers . This weekend I will do a simple " dissolution time test " using plain white vinegar in equal amounts testing Plavix . And in so doing I will note the " half life's " of each lot that's mnftrd. Another important concern is the Glycemic value of foods when taking these drugs , the higher Glycemic scale rated foods tended to provoke more stomach complications for me , so now I revert to the glycemic ratings on foods prior to planning each meal . Download a glycemic on line.
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, April 22, 2011

• In regards to Ulceration along with other Colon problems ( both ascending and descending colon ) excess gas etc. I am now taking 20 mg Omeprazole a PPI , Pepcid was of no use ( like a band aid after a by-pass ) And I am taking a tablespoon of 100% pure Virgin Olive Oil in the morning 30 minutes prior to eating and 30 minutes prior to supper as well . The " sad part " about these things is I HAD TO LEARN THEM ON MY OWN ! . There is no way Drs. today are either willing or wanting ( in my case ) to spend the time informing me of these things , as he neglected to inform me about stent choice , its the year 2011 and Drs. are way beyond discussing things like that w/ the " patient " you are in another world thinking they do that . They are more concerned about the 10 minute time allotment getting one patient in and out in that time frame with today's patient load , unless one is a " Movie Star " perhaps . They don't even give a PRINTED PAMPHLET about PLAVIX let alone its SIDE EFFECTS . OLIVE OIL along with 20 Mg Omeprazole works better for me , check out The New England Journal of Medicines latest report on taking Plavix and PPI's OLIVE OIL is preventer of heart disease and a loss of $
Rainman, Bay Shore, New York, USA, April 18, 2011

• Charlie in Illinois -- tell your doctor about the bleeding issue and ask if going to low dose aspirin (81mg) is okay. But guidelines state that after a drug-eluting stent, Plavix and aspirin should be taken for one year minimum.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 18, 2011

• Was scheduled for a heart check because I had tightness in my chest and failed my stress test. A drug eluting stent was placed LAD without event. Was prescribed Plavix 75mg and aspirin 325mg. The doctor said I have other blocked arteries, etc., but none require attention at this time. I am terribly worried about the amount of bruising and the fact that even a cat scratch required applying pressure for 5-10 minutes to get the bleeding stopped. Very afraid of what would happen it I broke a bone. I am 69 and my last bone scan shows me to have osteopenia. When I started on the Plavix and aspirin, their was no discussion about how long I would be on it. I would like to, at the very least take a lower dose of aspirin. Input, please?
Charlie, Benton, Illinois, USA, April 17, 2011

• Have any migraine sufferers discovered their Plavix treated the monster headaches successfully? Just told to go off Plavix by cardio after three years and my migraines are returning. Started checking and others are finding this to be true. Anyone else have this experience?
Peppy1, Spencer, Indiana, USA, April 15, 2011

• Rama Shri in India -- very possible a reaction to on eor more drugs. Plavix and aspirin can cause stomach pain, even bleeding. That is why an H2 inhibitor or PPI is sometimes also prescribed. See our post from April 11.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 13, 2011

• Got one stent Medtronic placed 2 months back - On Plavix, lipitor and metolar - now facing stomach problems like stomach burning, pain, nausea slight dizziness. Are these side effects of Plavix? My stomach hurts me every now and them. please help
Rama Shri, New Delhi, India, April 13, 2011

• When the Plavix patent expires, generic versions will be much cheaper. I found two different expiration dates, Nov 17, 2011 and May 17, 2012, exactly six months later. I have learned that the FDA recently granted the drug maker a 6 months "extension", to study effects of the drug on infants. Since FDA can not actually extend patents, they just announced that they will not approve any generic for 6 months after the patent expires .... which has the same effect. The FDA reasoned that the extension was necessary to give the drug maker an incentive to do the study.US sales of Plavix in 2010 was $6,154,000,000, and most of it was pure profit. Six months' price guarantee is our government's gift of over 3 billion to the drug maker, and all of it will be paid by Plavix users. Is this how the new healthcare will work?Further, are infants having heart attacks and receiving stents? Are "child bearing age" mothers getting stents while pregnant? Will this study cost 3 billion? Why is the study important only six months before the patent's expiration, but not during the previous 20 years? It smells fishy to me, three billion dollars worth of fishy.
Tom in Encinitas, San Diego, California, USA, April 12, 2011

• An addendum to my reply to Rainman in New York -- Some cardiologists, if their patients will not be able to afford a year of DAPT, or are likely to stop taking it prematurely, or are going to need surgery within the next year, they will use a bare metal stent instead. Secondly, your doctor may be able to alleviate some of your stomach problems with H2 inhibitors (Tagamet, etc.) or some Proton Pump Inhibitors, although there is also controversy whether PPIs inhibit the action of Plavix.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 11, 2011

• Rainmain in New York -- It's certainly frustrating when patients get their coronary arteries unblocked, only to discover that they need to take an expensive antiplatelet drug for a year and, for you and others, one that causes side effects. We definitely advocate that the patient and doctor discuss this issue prior to stent placement (we are actually working on an article at this moment about this very subject!). It's not that drug-coated (drug-eluting) stents should not be used. In fact the latest papers presented at the American Congress of Cardiology (ACC) meeting last week showed terrific results for these devices. Restenosis (reblocking) with bare metal stents (BMS) was in the 20-25% range. For drug-eluting stents (DES) it's now around 5%. As you say, in your case your two BMS were just fine, which is great news. It would have been better to have had this conversation with your cardiologist, so you could understand why he favored a DES in your case -- for example, there's a higher incidence of reblocking with narrow vessels, long blockages, etc. As for Plavix, the FDA and DES, read the Editor's Blog from 5 years ago(!!) about this issue, "The Catch-22 of Plavix and the FDA: Not My Job". Regarding the South Korean study, also presented at the ACC, it's interesting data and again, the proper duration of dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT) after DES is a big area of controversy. Read this blog entry, "DES 'n' DAPT: The OPTIMIZE Trial and Drug-Eluting Stents". Finally, we would definitely recommend that you not stop taking any medication without discussing it with your cardiologist.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 11, 2011

• Why is that "coated stents" were even brought into the picture? monies perhaps, Patents? . The plain wire two I had inserted over 3 years ago were 100% clear (unblocked ) and yet he inserts one that's "coated " needing me to take the ulcer causing / bleeding / bruising Plavix . It makes absolutely No sense why the FDA even approved it . Bristol Myers along with Sanofi Aventis made over 7 BILLION on it ! I wonder what the "kick back " is to Drs. , let's not forget those who manufacture stents and those at the FDA who approved it , South Korea study says no difference in those who stop taking it after 6 months than those who take it for a year. After 6 months I'm off it , I can't tolerate the daily stomach agony .
Rainman, Civilian, New York, USA, April 10, 2011

• Curious in Canada -- Not the stent, but bleeding can be a complication of antiplatelet therapy (Plavix, aspirin, etc.). Does your family doctor think this may be the case? This is a complex issue and we would suggest consulting your cardiologist, preferably the one who placed the stent. Altering dual antiplatelet therapy after stenting can be tricky and he/she would be the best person to judge the risk/benefit and the proper course to take. Stopping antiplatelet therapy without discussing it with your cardiologist is not recommended.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, April 7, 2011

• Stent in Jan\09 and on Plavix for a year the aspirin. Family Dr now telling me that my hemoglobin is dropping continually. Has dropped from 128 ( 12.8 ) to 122 ( 12.3 ) in the last 6 months. Previous drop from 133.Can this be a result of the stent ??
Curious in Canada, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, April 7, 2011

• Divot in Texas. I had a stent in 2008 and was told I had to be on plavix for the rest of my life. Yet everything I read on the net said that 12 months was sufficient so I went off it and just took aspirin. 6 months ago I had a second attack but much milder. The staff at the hospital castigated me for going off the plavix and said that had caused the second attack. I was then sent to another hospital to have another stent. I was treated by a team of Indian cardiologists. The following day the Indian cardiologist visited me and told me I will be in Plavix for 12 months, after that I could take either plavix OR aspirin for ever. I told him I'd been told to take it forever - he looked very concerned and said NO only one year. But I was told that because I'd gone off the plavix it had caused the second attack - Oh NO!! he replied - the reason you had the second attack was because the first stent wasn't long enough and was not functioning! I was correct to go off the plavix after 1 year. Two entirely different opinions. I'll go with the Indian's opinion as I gather the Indian cardiologists are the best in the world plus it agrees with what I've read on the subject. :)
Janama, Australia, April 6, 2011

• Charlotte in Cohoes -- you should have your cardiologist and surgeon speak to each other regarding the necessity for you to go off dual antiplatelet therapy (DAPT). It may NOT be necessary, and going off DAPT does present a risk for stent patients. Check out our topic on "Plavix and Surgery".
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 31, 2011

• I had 2 stents put in the end of this past Feb. I had no heart attack. I am on plavix and aspirin. I need to have to have my stimulator taken out. It no longer works for my chronic pain. I need a MRI taken to find out the problem with my legs and spine. I can hardly walk or stand the pain. My cardiologist says i cannot get off these 2 meds, but I can go off for a few days. Please help me find out what i can do.
Charlotte, Cohoes, New York, USA, March 30, 2011

• There is a lot of negative information regarding Plavix and the stopping of Plavix. The information I have gotten over the last couple of years makes it seem like you have a really big chance of having a heart attack after stopping Plavix. The information is kind of misleading. I don't remember all the numbers, but I know I have seen that it could double your chance of a heart attack. That in itself is misleading. Even if you double your chance, it's still a relatively low chance that you will have a heart attack. I would like to see people posting their success stories about stopping Plavix. I had one DES placed and took plavix for about 2 years. I stopped taking Plavix 6 months ago and have had no problems. For what it's worth, I tapered off, but there is no evidence that implies tapering helps.
Divot, Texas, USA, March 30, 2011

• I've been on Plavix for 4 months now and have all of a sudden developed some severe allergies, the most glaring one is to my cats who I've had for over 12 years. Is it possible that there is a correlation here.
Plavix and Allergies, Bayside, New York, USA, March 25, 2011

• i buy plavix from international drug mart. they come out of india. it only cost 109 dollars for 100 pills. my doctor says there safe to take.
limited income, private citizen, Chicago, Illinois, USA, March 23, 2011

• Hi, Short and to the point. Came off Plavix September 2009 after 3 years post stenting in June 2006. 8 weeks later back in hospital for another blockage, another stent. My Dr now says Plavix for life..
John K, United Kingdom, March 23, 2011

• I am a 57 year old woman, who has been on Plavix for almost 2 years. I have no Insurance and want to order a generic from Canada in place of Plavix here in the US. I was told that the generic for Plavix is not good to take. Has anyone heard why?
kfulks, housewife, San Antonio, Texas, USA, March 14, 2011

• Hi, I was wondering if anyone taking Plavix is suffering with back pain. I have developed an ulcer which is being treated, but the back pain is constant, and severe.
Jan B, Los Gatos, California, USA, March 12, 2011

• You got drug-eluting stents (DES) and the AHA/ACC/SCAI guidelines state: "For all post-PCI stented patients receiving a DES, clopidogrel 75 mg daily should be given for at least 12 months if patients are not at high risk of bleeding." Call your cardiologist to discuss your bleeding complications and decide together if it's safe to stop your Dual AntiPlatelet Therapy (DAPT).
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 9, 2011

• it was a drug induced stent.. and the bleeding sometimes is very bad..I keep my blood levels checked but this just does not sound healthy.
tgunter, Danville, Virginia, USA, March 9, 2011

• tgunter from Virginia -- bleeding is a well-known side-effect of Plavix and Aspirin in some patients, something that may not show up on a CT scan. But call your cardiologist before changing any meds and report this to him/her. What kind of stents did you get? Do you know if they were bare metal or drug-eluting?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 9, 2011

• I am 55 year old female that had 2 stents put in 10 months ago. I am on plavix and 81 mg aspirin.. I have had bouts of bleeding.. Just the other night I felt heaviness in my chest and started coughing. I cough/threw up bright red blood.. Probably a cup at least... I went to ER they did ct scan and saw nothing... going to ent doctors tomorrow. has anyone had that problem....
tgunter, Danville, Virginia, USA, March 9, 2011

• JP from Connecticut -- were you taking Plavix because you had a drug-eluting stent placed?? If so, has it been a year since the stent? If not, did you consult your cardiologist before going off Plavix? It is very important to stay on Plavix for that year after stenting. As for your fatigue, we can't really say if it's from the Plavix -- so much of drug reactions are individualized. Anyone else out there experience this??
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, March 1, 2011

• I have had to stop taking plavix because of pending surgery. It seems that I am now having difficulty getting up in the morning because of extreme sleepiness. Could there be a relationship to my not taking the plavix?
JP, Old Saybrook, Connecticut, USA, February 28, 2011

• I'm 57 years old. I have a history of gout but in the last 2 years attacks have not been frequent enough to be on allopurinol so if I get an attack, I take prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs like Naproxen or Indocin to cut the inflammation. Less than a week ago, I had a main artery stent put in and went on Plavix. Within a day of leaving the hospital, I suffered a major..I mean very acute gout attack..worse i ever had. I could not walk. I re-read the side effects for Plavix and there it was - it can cause gout. There is no way i can continue to suffer that kind of pain while on this medication. Does anyone have this experience and how was it resolved. Did you go on Allopurinol and did it prevent attacks while on Plavix? I'm considering asking my doctor about Prasugrel - an alternative to Plavix, which does not list gout as a side effect.
Calif_Mike, San Leandro, California, USA, February 28, 2011

• Anyone with an opinion as to whether or not Deplatt Clopidogrel is equivalent to Plavix?
Steve, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA, February 26, 2011

• Arnold -- You are posting a request that should be made of the stent manufacturers. We are not stent manufacturers. That being said, here's some info. The Liberte is made by Boston Scientific and it is a drug-eluting stent (DES). The Driver is made by Medtronic and is a bare metal stent (BMS). The official recommendations from the American College of Cardiology for PCI (Percutaneous Coronary Interventions = angioplasty, stents, etc.) is as follows:

For all post-PCI stented patients receiving a DES, clopidogrel 75 mg daily should be given for at least 12 months if patients are not at high risk of bleeding. For post-PCI patients receiving a BMS, clopidogrel should be given for a minimum of 1 month and ideally up to 12 months (unless the patient is at increased risk of bleeding; then it should be given for a minimum of 2 weeks).

As for heart attacks after stopping clopidogrel (Plavix), we have discussed this issue a lot on this Forum Topic. The original 2008 study from the Denver VA that posited a "Plavix rebound effect" is discussed in this article, although some small randomized studies since then have not seen this effect. The study authors are working on an update, but they report to us that they think the observed effect is even more acute than originally thought. However, their report does not show a cause and effect -- it is only observational AND it seems to occur with or without stents -- so it may be a biological effect between Plavix and platelet reactivity, and perhaps only in certain patients. Confused? Rightly so. We'll certainly be reporting on this as more information is presented.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 17, 2011

• I have been on Plavix 75mg daily and aspirin 325 mg daily since July 2009. On 12/09/2009 I received your (Driver OTW) stent implanted in me by my cardiologist. The Ref. Number is DRV30024W and the Lot number on the ID Card is 0001125581. Six Months prior to this I had to have two previous Stents implanted on 07/01/09 (one was a Liberte OTW 3.0mm x 24 mm" Ref 38935-2430, Lot: 12467126 and the other was Liberte OTW 3mm x 12mm REF:38935-1230 Lot: 12271894). The Cardiologist I saw in December 2010 told me "It has been a year since the last stent was put in so you can stop the Plavix and aspirin daily. But I must tell you that I have another patient who stopped them both and within a month he had a heart attack".Another Cardiologist I saw said that I should take the Plavix and aspirin for the rest of my life, especially if any of the 3 stents are medicated.So I have a few questions for you as the manufacturer the stents if you don't mind. 1. Is your stent(s) listed above medicated? 2. As the manufacturer of the stent, how long do you recommend one to stay on Plavix and aspirin therapies? 3. Is/Are there any studies going on that I might be able to be a part of?
Arnold, Mental Health Association of the Southern Tier, Binghamton, New York, USA, February 15, 2011

• I am a 52 year old woman and have been taking plavix since last summer when I had a heart attack. I have gotten used to the side effects but my period is debilitating. I don't know any pre-menopausal women on plavix. Any body out there have the same experience...will I get used to this??? Or just hemorrhage away every month.
Joe, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA, February 14, 2011

• Tony K from England -- You should ask your doctors to get their recommendations straightened out with each other, and then with you. Although this Forum Topic is for patients who have gotten stents and are now taking Clopidogrel, these patients often are put on the drug for one, two or more years, assuming they do not suffer complications, the main one being bleeding. So it would seem that staying on Clopidogrel (Plavix) for long periods is not necessarily bad for you. The question would be, what is the specific benefit for you in your clinical situation?
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 10, 2011

• I have a serious allergy to aspirin and was put on Clopidogrel in 2007. I had a triple by-pass 2008 and am now in a dilemma. OUR DRS. are a husband and wife team and on my last visit to see my Dr. (MR) He took me off Clopidogrel and said there could be problems if you are on this drug for a long period. One week later his wife rang me up at home and told me to go back on it. HELP is there a recommended time for being on this drug.
Tony K., Nottingham, England, February 10, 2011

• Replying to several posts: Ginny from Sausilito -- bleeding is a possible adverse effect of Plavix, and Plavix plus aspirin as well, but many patients takes these drugs (after stenting) and the instances of bleeding complications is not high. It's, of course, a good idea to be monitored, but also to be aware of the symptoms of bleeding. All blood thinners have this complication. Sharon from New Zealand -- your experience mirrors that of many patients studied by Drs Ho and Rumsfeld at the Denver Colorado Veterans Administration. They authored the initial observational study on the possible Plavix "rebound" effect, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (February 2008). This effect has not been borne out in a couple small randomized trials, but the authors say the incidence of patients experiencing a myocardial infarction (heart attack) in the 30 days after stopping Plavix is significant -- and that's patients with AND without stents. And Kenward42 in Wisconsin -- we certainly cannot offer medical advice regarding prescriptions. But Plavix is an antiplatelet or anti-clotting drug and is not a blood pressure med. And Plavix does increase bleeding complications. You didn't mention if your wife had a stent placed and, if so, was it bare metal or drug-eluting. For drug-eluting stents, patients should be on Plavix for at least a year.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, February 4, 2011

• I have been on Plavix since having a stroke in February, 2003, and credit it for preventing additional problems. I continue to have high blood pressure, and take additional medication to control it. My wife was placed on Plavix for a short time after each of her two minor heart attacks. However, recently, when her latest prescription expired, and she phoned her doctor for a refill, she was told that since she does not have high blood pressure she should simply increase her daily dosage of aspirin to control potential clotting.
kenward42, Patient, Hudson, Wisconsin, USA, January 20, 2011

• I received a drug eluting stent a year ago. I am 50 years old. I stopped taking Plavix on the one year anniversary at Christmas time and had a heart attack eight days later. I have been informed by my cardiologist that I'll be on Plavix now for the rest of my life. I am grateful to be alive but very nervous with regard to bleeding risks and possible surgeries in the future.
Sharon, Auckland, New Zealand, January 18, 2011

• Hello, I am a 61 yr. old female who experienced a DVT 6 months ago & was diagnosed with May-Thurner Syndrome. Subsequently, thrombolysis was performed and a stent placed in the left common iliac vein. Ultrasound 3 months out revealed no residual clotting; I have been on Coumadin for past 6 months and am now being recommended to take Plavix w/low dose aspirin. I am reluctant to start this therapy due to information read about the combination of Plavix with aspirin and the greater tendency for bleeding that can result. I currently take thyroid and high blood pressure meds and have borderline high cholesterol and since stopping Coumadin 1 week ago, I have been taking 325mg aspirin. The DVT "experience" was the first time I've been hospitalized since my 39 yr.old daughter was born. Any information you can provide would be much appreciated!
Ginny, Sausalito, California, USA, January 17, 2011

• Kris and others -- you can read Angioplasty.Org's coverage of this March 2010 FDA Plavix advisory here: "FDA Alert: Plavix May Be Less Effective in Some Patients with Genetic Variation" and also our exclusive interview with Dr. Eric Topol, a pioneer in genetic testing for the CYP2C19 genetic variation.
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 4, 2011

• Have you seen the FDA warning on Plavix and DNA? It is here. My husband is CYP2C19 poor metabolizer so his dr switched him to effient. You should ask your dr about this test.
Kris, Burien, Washington, USA, January 4, 2011

• Dr. K. in Yemen -- we are not familiar with Clopivas, but our research shows that it is a generic form of clopidogrel. If that is correct, then it should be the equivalent of Plavix (a brand name of clopidogrel).
Angioplasty.Org Staff, Angioplasty.Org, January 3, 2011

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