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Plavix, Effient, Aspirin and Stents (2005 archive)
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Archived Postings from 2005 on This Page (52): • How is the wife with blockage
in brain doing? Did they put her on plavix? Did she get the stent?
Did she have a stroke? Was there white matter visible in the MRI and
How much blockage does she have? Thank you in advance. • My mother was prescribed plavix after a stent
procedure. The doctor emphatically states the need for use. Six weeks after
the procedure, she swears she feels MUCH worse than before--EXTREME weakness & unbearable
joint/back pain (had to see an orthopaedic doctor), always sick at her
stomach, VERY, very depressed. Why didn't the doctor have her use plavix
for more than one week prior to the stent to check possible side effects
first??? What do you do?? Help!! • Last year I had 7 drug coated stents installed
in my left decending conary artery.druing the instlation process my artery
kept disecting, each time causing the need for another stent to be placed
inline, all during this time I was having a heart attack, that lasted 3
hours, I was placed on plavix 75 Mg & asperine 325 mg daily. So far it's
working! • I had a terrible rash on my groin, arms and arm
pits due to plavix. They put me on Ticlid and I have not been feeling well.
I now notice pin dot rash on my palms. What medication is next? I had two
Cypher stents placed in October with another to be placed in two weeks • Dee, you've hit on a controversial topic -- we
just attended a symposium at this year's TCT that discussed this situation
and one of the interventional cardiologists on the panel reported having
this argument with his wife all the time -- she's a surgeon! This is a
call that must be made by the surgeon doing the procedure in partnership
with the cardiologist who has placed the stent and prescribed the antiplatelet
drugs -- the sense seems to be that if the surgeon is aware of and able
to manage the possible bleeding complications, he/she should not stop the
Plavix/aspirin because going off the antiplatelet therapy, especially if
drug-eluting stents were used, can increase the risk of stent thrombosis
(which can result in infarction -- heart attack). The length of time since
the stenting is also important. However, no one, especially on the internet,
can say which way to go. This decision must be made by the medical professionals
who know the patient and have all the patient's records in hand. Just make
sure they talk to each other -- sometimes not an easy task. Many non-cardiology
physicians are not aware of the critical importance of coninuing antiplatelet
therapy after drug-eluting stenting. Good luck, and please let us know
what happens. • My husband is on plavix and aspirin with two cardiac
stents due to blockage. He was recently diagnosed with an irregular prostate
and needs a biopsy. Can he come off the plavix for this procedure and if
not, what are the alternatives? • Ex-husband was taking 80mg Zocor, Cardiologist
found three blockages, 2,80% and one 70%. Stents were put in the two *80%
and balloon used in the 70%. After he was told by the Cardiologist to take
75mg. of Plavix and 325mg aspirin, but not to take Zocor, his Primary Dr.
told him to stay on Zocor. Cant figure this out, one says take Zocor the
other says not to. Help! • My mother had an inferior wall MI on 22nd March
2005. Angiography showed two blockages - RCA 99% and LAD 70%. PTCA was
done on 5th April 2005 with Taxus 3.5 X 30 in RCA and Cypher 3.0 X 18 in
LAD. She was prescribed Clopidogrel 75 mg twice a day, Aspirin 150 mg twice
a day along with blood pressure and cholesterol lowering drugs. After 3
months Aspirin 150 mg dosage was reduceds to once a day. After 5 months,
around 4th Sept.,05, my mother had inflammation on the knuckles of the
hands and the feet and was accompanied with severe pain. I spoke to the
cardiologist and he advised that the dose of Clopidogrel 75 mg be reduced
to once a day. After doing that, the pain reduced a bit but the inflammation
was still present. I looked up in the net and came across two articles
of BMJ.indicating arthritis like symptoms being induced by Clopidogrel
and Ticlopidine. I informed the cardiologist about this and since he was
not aware of any such side effect in any of his patients, he advised us
to continue clopidogrel till atleast 9 months since PTCA. The pain would
not go away and after consultation from two orthopaedic surgeons we were
told that the symptoms are not the signs of any new joints disease and
is most probably a side effect of a drug. We also saw two black patches
under the skin one on the hand and one on the leg. We decided to discontinue
Clopidogrel and observe. In a about 7 days after discontinuing Clopidogrel
the black patches disappeared and the pain and inflammation reduced substantially.
Apart from the small joints the pain had also started to occur in the right
elbow and left shoulder before we discontinued Clopidogrel. After 7 days
we started Clopidogrel 75 mg once a day. After 4 days of continuing this
dosage the inflammation and pain returned and after the 5th day we stopped
Clopidogrel. After 11days of being without Clopidogrel we spoke to the
cardiologist who advised us to take Ticlopidine 250 mg twice a day instead
of Clopidogrel. After 4 days of starting Ticlopidine the small joint pains
increased a bit and I could see a small red spot of 3 mm dia below theskin
of the left feet of my mother. I spoke to the Cardiologist and he asked
us to continue taking the medicne and said that the joint inflammation
is probably another disease. On the 7 th day of taking Ticlopidine my mother
had pain in both her knees which was bearable. After 12 hours of this beginning
of pain, the pain had become severe and my mother had to use a stick to
walk (which she never had used). She took the one Ticlopidine 250 mg even
at this stage. After 1 hour of this, she also had headache. This was post
dinner and she could not sleep wel that night. We decided to discontinue
Ticlopidine. The pain was there the whole of the next day and night. She
had pain when she would be trying to bend her knees or trying to get up
or sit down. The pain in her elbow nad shoulder which had started at the
time of taking clopidogrel also turned severe. I also noticed a black patch
under the skin of her right leg above the knee. After two days of discontinuing
the medicine the pain started to reduce and today after 8 days of discontinuing
Ticlopidine, the pain is still there but has greatly reduced. My Mother's
age is 59 and she is 64 kgs in weight and 5 feet in height. It seems that
she is hyper sensitive to both Ticlopidine and clopidogrel. The cardiologist
says that it is very important to continue taking this drug till atleast
9 months post PTCA. Is there an alternative to Ticlopidine/ Clopidogrel
which could be prescribed for my Mother at this stage. What would be the
outcome of discontinuing these drugs? I would be greatly thankful if someone
could find a solution to this problem. • Prior to having had two cypher stents fitted
I was on... 75 mg Aspirin 40 mg Simvastatin 10 mg Nicorandil 5 mg Bisoprolol
Post stenting I dropped to 2.5 mg Bisoprolol (to reduce the tiredness)
and started 75 mg Plavix. After a few weeks I dropped the Nicorandil and
started on 2 mg Perindopril, with the intention of increasing the dose
if I can take it. I have a bit of dizziness, tend to feel the cold more,
bruise very easily and have a metallic taste in the mouth. None of this
is unbearable, just an embuggerance. • I am a 67 year old male . Eighteen months ago
I told my Dr I had neck and back pain but I was still in good shape strong
as an ox and working hard .I took a stress test and they told me I had
a blocked artery but I was never short of breath. The hospital then did
an angioplasty and put in place three stents in my RCA which was completley
blocked, the cardiologist said the chances of the stents closing up was
high but he also said what is in your faviour is the fact you have very
larg arteries. All this was in June 2004 and I am still on Plavix 75 Aspirin
100mg Coversyl 2mg Minax50mg and Lipitor 10mg and have no side effects
do not bruse and all this never cost me a penny --Good onya Oz • Regarding my mother and lack of Plavix with stent.
Upon admission to the hospital she was presented with the option of participating
in a double blind Plavix and an investigational drug study. We opted not
to participate in the study due to recent medical problems with my father,
need to travel some distance for the followup evals and the fact that they
usually leave to head south for the winter. The request to participate
in the drug comparison study and then no Plavix was a pretty clear tipoff.
Thanks for your timely response. • David -- good work! We've discussed often on this
site the crucial importance of Plavix/aspirin antiplatelet regimen after
implantation of a drug-eluting (a.k.a. medicated) stent. The reason it's
used is to keep thrombus or blood-clotting from occuring inside the stent
(platelets in the blood see a foreign object like a stent and tend to start
gathering to cover it). We don't know what, if any, effect having a four-day
non-treatment occur. We do know that a "loading dose" of 300mg
of Plavix is often given to the patient 4-8 hours before stent placement.
Recent studies have shown that an even higher loading dose of 600mg is
safe and effective, and results in better outcomes. It may be that because
this was an emergency procedure, there was no time for the Plavix loading
dose. We're curious as to how you knew or where you learned about the need
for Plavix after stenting? • My 80 yr old mother who was active and in good
health (on no medications for anything) had a heart attack last Wednesday.
On Thursday they placed a medicated stent, 28mm to open an 80% blockage
of the LAD. She was discharged and 3 days later I discovered she was discharged
on crestor, beta blocker and 325 mg Aspirin but no Plavix. Contacted Cardiologist
office and found that they had messed up in not sending her on Plavix.
She was contacted by the Cardiologist office to take four Plavix today
and then one a day beginning tomorrow. Any consequence of this that we
should watch for or be aware, including both the lack of Plavix initially
and the four Plavix on the first day? Thankyou. • Hospitalized for sepsis. Also needed two stents
for closed heart vessels. Post stent is 75 mg plavix, and 325 mg asprin.
Also taking 40 mg Lasix and 50 mg toprol. Just one month out now. • I had three stents which started to close. I
was on plavix and aspirin. Is it a practice not to stop plavix and aspirin
before double bypass surgery or any kind of surgery? In June I had a double
bypass and was not taken off of plavix or aspirin as a result I experienced
bleeding around my heart and had to be brought into surgery for the second
time within a few hours. Doctors believe my heart problems were a result
of radiation which caused scar tissue. • I had three stents inserted into my right coronary
artery just over three weeks ago. I am taking Plavix 75mg Aspirin 325 mg
Toprol XL 25mg Lisinopril 5mg Lipitor 80 mg Initially I broke out in a
rash which covered most of my body, now I am getting back spasms, have
no appetite, feel as if I am in a fog, hence slow thinking. Is this the
best that i am going to feel for the rest of my life? I am 5 ft 2 inches
tall & weigh around 125 pounds. • Sue -- You're right that Lovenox (enoxaparin sodium)
is basically an anticoagulant and not an antiplatelet. There are a few
studies around to suggest that Lovenox combined with antiplatelet therapy
can lower certain adverse events, late lumen loss, etc. Of course, your
husband is on aspirin which is an antiplatelet drug. We will be posting
some documentation that Sanofi–Aventis, manufacturers of both Plavix
and Lovenox, is sending us. But the company stresses, and rightly so, that
the use of Lovenox in stenting is NOT an approved use and any information
should NOT be considered a recommendation for the use of Lovenox in a manner
which may be inconsistent with approved product labeling. WE, of course,
cannot dispense medical advice, but we will post the studies. Please keep
us informed as to your husband's progress. This is an occurrence that a
number of patients, as you can tell from this Forum, have written about,
and it will be most helpful to others to share experiences. • two weeks ago my husband had a drug eluting stent
placed for restenosis of metal stent that was placed in aprox. 6 years
ago. Was on plavix for a week prior to implantation, developed acute reaction
to plavix within 48 hours after stent placement; received high doses of
prendisone and antihitamines with no effect. Was Changed to ticlid and
remains on high doses of prendisone only to have acute serum sickness from
this. He is now going to be placed on lovenox and aspirin. I can not find
any literature that details how effective or ineffective an anticoagulant
not antiplatelet therapy yields post des placement.... • Dear A.R. -- First of all, congratulations on
your post-stenting weight loss and your resumption of physical activity
-- most important! As for your question, perhaps you didn't have a drug-eluting
stent placed. Let us know what type it was. These two drugs work separately
to make the blood (platelets) "slippery" and keep them from congregating
-- like around the stent. The problems with taking these drugs is mainly
due to allergies to one or both, the need for some type of surgery (in
which case you can't be on drugs that will keep your blood from clotting)
and cost -- Plavix is not cheap. The standard recommendation from device
manufacturers and cardiology associations, and this is based on a number
of clinical studies, is that a combination antiplatelet therapy of Plavix
(clopidogrel) and aspirin has shown to reduce the occurance of late stent
thrombosis for drug-eluting stents. And stent thrombosis is a very serious
complication, although it occurs infrequently. Most cardiologists recommend
this combo for 6-12 months post-stenting. Was there a reason your doctor
took you off Plavix after four months? We'd be curious to know. (And by
the way, try releasing your caps lock -- writing in all caps is the electronic
equivalent of shouting....) Meanwhile keep up the good work! A. R. SMITH, ST. LOUIS, MO, September 24, 2005 • Walter -- very good point! Have you asked this
question of your cardiologist? -- the one who prescribed Plavix/aspirin.
He/she should be the one to make this call since your cardiologist has
your medical records to consult. We haven't seen any data regarding time-to-thrombosis
after stopping antiplatelet therapy but you raise an interesting question
and we'll see if we can get an answer. • The question: Can Plavix & asprin dosing be safely
suspended for one week prior to dental surgery?
Gleanings from the Internet: Plavix: platelet aggregation and bleeding
time gradually return to baseline values after treatment is discontinued,
generally in about 5 days. Asprin 81mg/day: platelet lifetime 10 days.
How soon after stopping Plavix & asprin did the 1% experience stent thrombosis? • I had an Atrial septal defect closure device put
in in May 2005 and I am taking 100mg Aspirin and 75mg Plavix a day since
to stop stroke and blood clotting. Since taking it I feel hot flushes than
usual. Does anyone else have this problem especially with plavix? • I take Plavix 75mg once a day and 81mg aspirin
once a day. I've been taking the aspirin for 3 years. Had an annual stress
test 6 days ago and they sent me straigt to angioplasty w/95% in two places
in my RCA. Feel 100% now and will get back to exercising today. Lost 12
pounds this month and stopped smoking/drinking 3 weeks ago. My numbers
have all dropped dramatically. This is the key people. Don't smoke, don't
drink, eat healthy and exercise. All the medicine in the world can't replace
that!! • In the past 2 weeks, I had 2 stents put in, after
an angiogram, I had a positive stress test. I am now taking 75mgs of Plavix
and 325 mgs of ecotrin along with my sectral 400 mgs and avapro 150 mgs.
I find bruises on my body and checked with my Dr. and he said that is what
the drug does and I have to stay on it, hopefully for a short time. I have
not experienced any unusual bleeding except for a little blood in my nose
while blowing and then it stopped. Tell me what is your opinion? I also
watch my diet as far as cholesterol and trans fats. • I took a full aspirin (325mg) for about 6 months
after my 4 stents. After that my doctor dropped my aspirin down to 81 mg.
I also take 75mg of Plavix. • Plavix 75 mg q day • I am taking 75mg Plavix after having a stent put
in. I am bruising all over my body epecially my legs. I even have a black
eye. Is this common? Will it stop? It is an allergic reaction to the Plavix?
Should I be on a lower dosage? Does anyone else have this problem. It really
bothers me. I look terrible! • In Aug. 2003 I had Taxus2 stent in LAD (75%) and
prescribed 75 Plavix and 75 Aspirin. After 3 months I was advised to stop
the apsirin as it was thought that I might be mildly allergic to it. A
recent stress echo suggested I could still have a problem but due to a
small VSD the results could not be considered conclusive so I was referred
for an angiogram. The consultant could not agree to a stent if needed (but
proceeded with the angiogram) because of recent recommendations that aspirin
and clopidogrel should be prescribed for 12 months post procedure; and
as I was possibly allergic to aspirin I would need to undertake an allergy
trial for several months just to make sure. I was unaware of this new recommendation
so it came as a surprise and shock that any stenting would be delayed.
The good news from the angiogram is that I don't need another stent. I
now plan to take a course of aspirin along with the still prescribed plavix
just to check the allergy thing for the future. Anyone know whether plavix
can be taken indefinitely? I'm 71, train regularly and asymptomatic. Problem
was first revealed following EBCT scan. • I am trying find the new combination medication
of adding 81 mg of ASA and Plavix 75 mg in a single tablet. The patients
can take the combo tablet instead of two individual tablets for one to
12 months. Any coments on my idea • i have been taking plavix since 7 jan 2005 and
i noticed some spots all over my back,chest and neck i need to know the
right treatment for this case,and to check the right dosage of plavix to
be taken and for how long? • My husband had his stent done more than a year
ago. He was then taking plavix and aspirin. After sixteen months, he was
advised to have colonoscopy because of his age. His doctors did not inform
him to discontinue plavix and aspirin.During the process of colonoscopy
they found out that he had a polyp so they took a sample from it for biopsy.
After a few days he hemorhaged and had to stay in the hospital intensive
care for a week. He had blood tranfusion and I thought I'll lose him. Now
it's almost three months, his primary doctor wants him to take plavix again
when he is also taking aspirin. I'm very concerned. • I am taking 75 mg. plavix, and 325 aspirin. I
bleed now like a stuck pig when I have to do my finger pricks for my diabetes
daily monitoring. Was told at least min. 6 mos. on blood thinners. Not
thrilled. Anyone nauseous with plavix? • A recent MRA confirms my wife
has a blockage of a vein in her brain. Doctor is exploring the possibility
of installing a stent. Years ago she took Plavix to relieve a cholesterol
problem. Later, she had surgery to correct a problem in her shoulder and
afterwards began to display large areas over her body where the skin blackened.
Doctor took her off the Plavix and the conditon corrected itself. Now they
are cautiously suggesting the use of Plavix again in an attempt to relieve
the present condition in her brain in lieu of surgery. She can not take
aspirin as she is highly allergic to this substance. Has anyone heard of
this procedure involving the placement of a stent in the brain. It causes
us to shudder. • Is there any justification to use 75 mg Plavix
as opposed to say 35 mg Plavix. The idea of a one size fits all doesn't
seem obvious. I'd like to use the minimum amount necessary, but can't find
any reseach on the effect of different doses. BTW, my doctor agreed that
Plavix, and Coumadin may be sufficient to prevent the cardiac problems
I face. Therefore I discontinued the 325 mg of aspirin that was previously
included in my medication regimen. I'm much more comfortable with that. • My Husband had a Stent put in on May 8, 2005 the
new medicated stent was used for a 90% blockage. He is taking Plavix, Ectotrin
325mg, Vasotec, and Lipitor. Recently he was brought into the emergency
for an Inflammation of the Heart Muscle, which was treated successfully
with Indocin. The Doctor in the ER told me this was a common Syndrome that
some people develop after a Stent is put in, My husband had the same pain
the day after his Heart Attack and at that time was treated again with
Indocin, successfully. Can some one please explain this to me, why this
happens. Thank You • I had a stent to open a 99% blocked heart artery.
It was just in time to prevent a major stroke. Prior to the stenting I
was on Coumadin for 10 years to prevent TIAs caused by Atrial fib and clotting.
The Coumadin was discontinued to implant the stent and all was fine for
15 days using 75 mg plavix in conjuction with 325 mg aspirin, but then
I had a minor TIA. It was just like I used to get before taking Coumadin.
An emergency physician advised taking Coumadin as well as Plavix and Aspirin.
I'm just hoping it won't cause a bloody problem! More later . . . with
luck! • I am 73.After years of stable angina of effort
in 2004 my angina became unstable. My blood pressure had always been 140/75.
Following angiogram in Feb 05 a single stent was inserted at position of
87% lesion and there was a less than 60% lesion left alone. Within a few
days my blood pressure became unstable occasionally 210/110. Four weeks
after angioplasty at night I had recurring chest pain in spasm and after
four hours went to emergency. My blood pressure was sky high and I was
kept in for two days and a further angiogram was scheduled. I reuested
first a stress test on which I did 15 minutes with no pain and top blood
pressure of 165/80. I continued to have erratic blood pressure and spasm
but generally good exercise tollerance. I went on holliday to Switerland
where I suddenly had severe spasm and highly variable a of e. I went to
hospital where they recorded very high blood pressure and sent me by ambulance
to Bern University Hospital. In view of my history and possibility of the
stent having blocked I had another angiogram which showed the stent clear
but the other occlusion was also fitted with a stent. Over three days the
hospital could not stabilise my blood pressure and concluded that this
was the cause of my angina and spasm. All this time I was taking Plavix.
I have kept a blood pressure chart since May 1. Four days ago following
ten days of angina of effort and spasm I discontinued Plavix. Immediately
my blood pressure has fallen and stabilised at around 140/80 no spasm and
improved exercise tollerance. Now how do I protect against platelet aggregation.
Clearly my second angioplasty was an unnecessary intervention. I hope this
report will save some other patients a lot of stress. • I had stent implanted May 25/2005. I have been
prescribed Plavix, 325 mg aspirin. Also take Altace,Lipitor(10),Bisoprolol(5)daily.
Comment on drawings supplied "63yo male,prior CABGx4. Known occluded SVG
to ramus,DI, and LIMA to LAD. New 90%lesion at anastomotic site of SVG
to distal RCA. PCI 3.5/15 Biodyvisio, post with 3.5/8 Quantum. Good results.
OM2 90% chronic. Angioseal RFA. Plavix>1m. Integ. JS/VH(Drs.)" I feel great! • If patient is already taking Coumadin for
a previous DVT/pulmonary embolism, is it still OK to take 325 mg of aspirin,
along with the usual plavix, beta blockers, etc. after drug-eluting stents
installed on an emergency basis out of town while on vacation. Back home
(in Chapel Hill), it takes 2 months to get an appointment with an interventional
cardiologist. Meanwhile, how do you determine the proper dosage? Ask
your cardiologist is not an option for 2 months. Any idea who to ask
to get an immediate response? • I have just had 1 Cypher (RCA Bypass) and
2 Taxus stent implants in the LCA with one causing serious LIMA bypass
spasm. Having a St. Jude aortic valve, I am also on Coumadin but still
required to take Plavix 75mg and Asp 81mg. Is anyone on these 3 anticoagulants
and how do you manage them? • I take 81mg and 75mg plavix 10mg crestor
all once a day along with 25mg metoperol twice a day • MB -- only your cardiologist should be making
the decision as to whether you should continue with any prescription medication.
Plavix is prescribed for 3 months to a year to avoid the problem of stent
thrombosis, but Plavix also has other benefits and reasons for use. • I had an angioplasty exactly year ago. I had three
stents in my arteries, of which doctors recommended one stent of cypher.
I was prescribed aspirin 75 mg, plavix 75 mg, zocor 20 mg, zestril 10 mg,
beta blocker 50 mg, I am diabetic so i take diamicron MR 10 mg, and two
tablets of glucophage 500 twice a day. I am really curious whether should
I stop plavix as its been 1 year that I've been taking. Plz do advice me. • J.P. -- Sorry about your
situation. As you read in my
blog, Dr. Eisenberg's article
in Lancet (sorry -- subscription only to read) cautions doctors to
think about the clinical consequences down the road of implanting drug-eluting
stents. But with a 90% blockage, it's possible you may not have had much
choice and been at high risk for a coronary event. As for medical advice
on what to do, that is something we do not and cannot give. Your physician
is really the best source for that type of advice. And it sounds like
your cardiologist is quite aware that early cessation of antiplatelet
therapy post drug-eluting stent implantation is not such a good idea.
Over half of the voters on an April 5 poll conducted by CRT
Online, a professional-only cardiology site, said that they prescribe
Plavix for a year or more after stenting (not a scientific survey by
any means, but you get the idea). So I would not just stop this
course of medication -- any change needs to be discussed with your cardiologist
and you should discuss with him/her the implications of any decision
in this situation. • My stents were installed
in February ( 2 in the decending coronary artery) following a kidney
stone and subsequent dehydration effects. I had been walking around with
a 90% blocked DCA. But, my problem is I still have the kidney stone because
my cardiologist doesn't want to discontinue the anticoagulants (Plavix
and Aspirin) long enough to do the Lithotripsy (sonic kidney stone blast
technique). The stone was secured with a urinary track stent in my ureter.
Also, Plavix is expensive and a nasty tasting pill thats hard to swallow.
Do I want to discontinue my anticoagulants so I can get rid of the kidney
stone and urinary stent? Sure, but I'll wait. The devil is always in
the details. • Aspirin 325mg 1 per day • Colleen, as
for aspirin and Plavix, before changing the dosage of aspirin from
what your mother's cardiologist prescribed, you should check with him/her.
Both drugs can cause bleeding, especially when used together. So I
would not increase your mother's aspirin dose without checking first.
Most cardiologists prescribe Plavix for 6 months after a drug-eluting
stent -- some feel a year is better. Again check with your cardiologist
(general practice physicians are sometimes not aware of the importance
of Plavix and drug-eluting stents -- do not stop taking it
without your cardiologist's approval). As for the drug on the coated
stents, paclitaxel (used on the Taxus) is a cancer drug, and sirolimus
(used on the Cypher) is an immunosuppressive. Both have the characteristic
of slowing-down cell growth, thought to cause restenosis or re-clogging.
But they're not anti-platelet drugs (Plavix and aspirin are). Paclitaxel
or sirolimus are eluted (given off) by the stent in a very small dosage
(compared to taking a pill systemically) over time. While there have
been instances of hypersensitivity to the drug itself, they are relatively
rare (you can read about allergic reactions our readers have reported
in a different topic --
there's also a phone number there to report/discuss concerns about
any reactions to the Taxus stent) . Sometimes rashes, coughs, etc.
may be due to medications being taken by the patient (heart patients
are usually on several). And yes, it is true that elderly people react
differently to medications, usually they are more sensitive. Hopefully
another procedure won't be necessary (that's the concept behind drug-eluting
stents -- they've cut restenosis from the 20+% range down to 5%). But
if one does, you should discuss these concerns with your mother's cardiologist
(patients often have more than one stent implanted during a procedure). • My mother was told to take
plavix and one aspirin Started with full strength aspirin, then cut to
baby aspirin after a month, along with taking plavix. She has drug eluting
stent (paclitaxel). i didn't know about different kind of stents and
when she developed rash, started researching and found out. I am concerned
that this is a chemotherapy drug that is implanted in a persons artery
where a minute amount will supposedly remain of this drug. Elderly people
have compromised immune systems just from the natural aging process,
so I don't understand why a company would use this particular drug to
keep platelets forming. Being a lay person of course doesn't give me
full insight, but, common sense would tell me that a chemo drug, that
can have highly allergic side effects, was not a great choice of drugs
to use on elderly people. Now I've read that this stent is not to be
used on people who are allergic to plavix. Well, if you never were a
heart patient before, how do you know if you are allergic? My other concern
is from what I have read, there hasn't been any studies of effects of
this stent in a persons body beyond a year. That is scary to me. Her
rash has calmed down somewhat, but still no one can pinpoint why she
has it. Is there any one else out there that has experienced this? Getting
back to meds, she is to continue plavix for 6 months with baby aspirin.
After that continue with aspirin Personally, I think one whole aspirin
and a baby to say the least. My grandmother took 2 aspirins (whole) everyday
and lived to 97 years. If you can give me any info regarding rash, I
would appreciate it. Also, her electrocardiogram is still not normal,
which was the original reason she had stent implanted. The doctor told
her that this is probably the way it will read from now on and to carry
a copy with her in case of emergency.Yet, I read that one of the signs
of side-effect from stent is electro cardiogram abnormal. Hope I am just
overly concerned and worrying too much.What if a patient with a paclitaxel
eluting stent, God forbid, needed another procedure down the road. What
kind of stent would be used? I don't think it would be good to have chemo
again eluting into an elderly person? • One Aspirin 81mg and one
Plavix 75mg. Both to be taken in the morning. Aspirin should be after
meal, but Plavix no difference. Hope this is of use. Good health to you. • Ellen -- check out this article on our "News" page about a study published in the February "Annals of Internal Medicine". They studied a combination therapy of clopidogrel (Plavix), 75 mg per day, plus aspirin, 325 mg per day for 1 year, followed by aspirin only (lifetime) and compared that with aspirin only (lifetime) and found that the combination, although more expensive, was also more cost-effective, since it was better in preventing more vascular events. This study was in patients with acute coronary syndrome. Post-stent patients need to be taking aspirin, probably lifetime, and Plavix certainly for 3-12 months -- this can prevent stent thrombosis, a not frequent (< 1%), but very serious complication with stents. As for the exact dosages, while you are correct in noting different strengths quoted in different articles, your doctor is the best source of this information, because he/she needs to look at your whole clinical situation and determine the best, most effective dosages (there may be some side-effects to anti-platelet medication, but this varies with individuals). We are curious as to what medications/dosages
other readers have been prescribed post-stenting. Post your comments
below regarding aspirin, Plavix, etc. • What is the normal
dosage of Plavix, aspirin given after having a Stent. I hear one aspirin,
over and over, but is this 325 mg or 81? Please let me know as soon as
possible. |
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