Plavix

Medically reviewed by Victor Nguyen, PharmD, MBA on May 24, 2023
Written by Patricia Weiser, PharmD

This article describes clopidogrel’s uses, side effects, and more. Below you’ll also find some coupon options to help save on the cost of clopidogrel.

Boxed warning: Risk of drug metabolism problems

Clopidogrel has a boxed warning about the risk of the drug not being effective in people who have problems metabolizing (breaking down) certain drugs. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

For details, see the “Interactions and warnings for clopidogrel” section.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves prescription drugs such as clopidogrel for certain conditions. Approved uses for clopidogrel are described below.

Use to help prevent cardiovascular events

Doctors may prescribe clopidogrel to help prevent cardiovascular (heart and blood vessel) events, such as heart attack and stroke, in certain people. It’s used for this purpose in adults. It’s usually prescribed as a long-term treatment.

Specifically, the FDA has approved clopidogrel to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke in people with any of the following:

• acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a condition that causes a sudden decrease in blood flow to the heart
• peripheral artery disease (PAD), a condition that causes reduced blood flow within the body, especially the arms, abdomen, legs, and feet
• a recent history of a heart attack or stroke

Clopidogrel is prescribed together with aspirin when it’s used in people with ACS.

Clopidogrel may cause mild or serious side effects (also known as adverse effects). More common mild side effects of clopidogrel and its serious side effects are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible side effects of the drug. Side effects can vary based on your age, overall health, and any other medications you take.

To learn more about clopidogrel’s side effects, ask your doctor or pharmacist. You can also read the prescribing information for clopidogrel.

Mild side effects

More common mild side effects reported with clopidogrel are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible mild side effects of the drug.

With many drugs, mild side effects may go away within a few days or a couple of weeks. If the side effects are bothersome, tell your doctor or pharmacist. They may be able to suggest ways to manage them.

Clopidogrel’s mild side effects include:

• bruising
• minor bleeding, such as a mild nosebleed
• itchy skin
• mild allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clopidogrel” section.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects of clopidogrel are listed below. This article doesn’t include all possible serious side effects of the drug.

If you have serious side effects from this drug, call your doctor right away. If you’re having severe symptoms or a medical emergency, call 911 or a local emergency number.

In general, clopidogrel’s serious side effects include:

• major bleeding
• thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP, a rare blood clotting disorder)
• severe allergic reaction*

* For details about this side effect, see the “Interactions and warnings for clopidogrel” section.

Below you’ll find answers to a few commonly asked questions about clopidogrel.

How does clopidogrel compare with aspirin or ticagrelor (Brilinta)?

Clopidogrel, aspirin, and ticagrelor (Brilinta) all belong to the same group of medications: antiplatelet drugs. (Platelets are a type of blood cell involved in blood clotting.) These drugs work in similar ways.

Clopidogrel oral tablet is a generic prescription drug, and Brilinta is a brand-name prescription drug.* Aspirin is a generic over-the-counter medication. Typically, generic and over-the-counter drugs tend to be less costly than brand prescription drugs.

In certain situations, doctors recommend taking aspirin with clopidogrel or ticagrelor. This is because the combination may be more effective than either drug alone.  

* A generic medication is an identical copy of the active drug in a brand-name medication. (An active drug is the ingredient that makes a medication work.)

Is clopidogrel safe for older adults?

Yes, clopidogrel is commonly used in older adults to help prevent heart attack and stroke. Its safety is expected to be the same in older adults as in younger adults. 

Doctors may prescribe clopidogrel together with aspirin for people with acute coronary syndrome. Older adults may have a higher risk of bleeding from clopidogrel when also taking aspirin. (Bleeding is a common side effect of clopidogrel and ranges from minor to serious.) Because of this risk, your doctor will monitor you closely for signs of bleeding if you’re an older adult taking both of these medications.

Can I take clopidogrel with omeprazole or rosuvastatin?

It isn’t recommended to take omeprazole while taking clopidogrel. These two drugs interact in a way that can stop clopidogrel from working the way it should in your body. To avoid this interaction, you should talk with your doctor or pharmacist about alternatives to omeprazole that do not cause an interaction with clopidogrel.

However, your doctor may prescribe both clopidogrel and rosuvastatin. Taking both of these drugs may increase the risk of side effects from rosuvastatin, such as muscle problems. Because of this risk, your doctor may monitor you closely for muscle problems if they prescribe both of these medications.

If you experience bothersome side effects from rosuvastatin, your doctor may reduce your dosage. Or they may make changes to your treatment plan.

Will I experience certain side effects after stopping clopidogrel?

No, stopping clopidogrel doesn’t cause side effects. However, you should not stop taking clopidogrel unless your doctor recommends ending your treatment.

It’s important to note that stopping clopidogrel may raise your risk of having a heart attack or stroke. This is because clopidogrel is used to help prevent heart attack and stroke in certain people. Talk with your doctor if you have questions about these risks.

Does clopidogrel cause long-term side effects?

No, long-term side effects aren’t expected with clopidogrel. In studies, specific side effects weren’t seen in people who had taken the drug for a long time. Long lasting side effects after treatment ended weren’t reported, either.

Talk with your doctor if you have questions about possible long-term side effects with clopidogrel.

What is clopidogrel’s half-life? How does the drug work?

Clopidogrel’s half-life is about 6 hours. Half-life refers to the time it takes for half of a dose of clopidogrel to be cleared from your body.

Clopidogrel starts working soon after your first dose, but you’ll need to continue taking it long term to receive the full benefit of the drug.

Clopidogrel works by blocking platelets from sticking together, which helps to prevent blood clots from forming. (Platelets are a type of blood cell involved in blood clotting.) Blood clots may lead to a heart attack or stroke.

However, clopidogrel isn’t considered a blood thinner. Examples of blood thinners (also called anticoagulants) include rivaroxaban (Xarelto) and warfarin (Jantoven). Clopidogrel is an antiplatelet drug.

Below, you’ll find information about clopidogrel’s possible interactions and warnings.

Interactions of clopidogrel

For some medications, certain things may affect how the drug works. These include getting vaccines, consuming alcohol or certain foods, or taking the drug with other medications. This effect is called a drug interaction.

Before you take clopidogrel, ask your doctor to check for possible interactions. Be sure to tell them about any of the following you take or use:

• prescription medications
• over-the-counter medications
• vitamins, herbs, or supplements

To learn about drug-condition interactions, see the “Warnings for clopidogrel” section just below.

Warnings for clopidogrel

Clopidogrel should not be taken by certain people.

Boxed warning: Drug metabolism problems

Clopidogrel has a boxed warning about drug metabolism problems. Boxed warnings are the most serious warnings from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Due to differences in genes, clopidogrel may not work effectively in certain people. Clopidogrel won’t work well if you have a drug metabolism problem known as “poor metabolism” of a specific enzyme called CYP2C19. This is a type of protein that metabolizes (breaks down) certain drugs, including clopidogrel. Because of this risk, doctors do not prescribe clopidogrel to people who have this drug metabolism problem.

If you have a drug metabolism problem or have concerns about this warning, tell your doctor. They’ll likely recommend taking a blood test to determine if you have a problem with the CYP2PC19 enzyme. If poor CYP2C19 metabolism is confirmed, they’ll recommend a different treatment option for you.

To learn more, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other warnings

Clopidogrel could cause harm to people with certain health conditions. This effect is called a drug-condition interaction. Other factors can also affect whether clopidogrel is a safe option for you.

Ask your doctor about specific warnings for clopidogrel, and be sure to tell your doctor about your:

• current health, including any allergies to medications or active bleeding
• past health conditions or surgeries

Allergic reaction

Clopidogrel can cause an allergic reaction in some people. Severe allergic reactions are rare but possible.

If you’ve had an allergic reaction to clopidogrel or any of its ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe clopidogrel. They can tell you about medications that are safer options for you.

A mild allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• itchiness
• flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)

A severe allergic reaction may cause the following symptoms:

• swelling under your skin, usually in your hands, feet, eyelids, or lips
• swelling of your mouth, throat, or tongue, which can cause breathing problems

If you have an allergic reaction to clopidogrel, call your doctor right away. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number.

Pregnancy or breastfeeding and clopidogrel

Information about clopidogrel, pregnancy, and breastfeeding is described below.

Clopidogrel and pregnancy

It’s not known whether clopidogrel should be taken during pregnancy. If you’re planning a pregnancy or can become pregnant, talk with your doctor before taking this medication.

Clopidogrel and breastfeeding

It’s not known whether clopidogrel should be taken while breastfeeding. If you’re currently breastfeeding or planning to do so, talk with your doctor before taking this medication. 

The dosage of clopidogrel your doctor prescribes may vary based on your condition and certain other factors. Talk with your doctor about the dosage you should take.

Taking clopidogrel

You’ll take clopidogrel oral tablets by swallowing them, usually once per day. You may take the drug with food or without it.

Your doctor will talk with you about how to take clopidogrel. They’ll explain how much to take and how often. Always follow your doctor’s recommendation.

Overdose of clopidogrel

You should not take more clopidogrel than your doctor prescribes. For some drugs, doing so may lead to serious side effects or overdose.

If you think you’ve taken too much clopidogrel, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have concerning symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room. 

You may be able to save money on your prescription for clopidogrel by using our Perks discount coupons. They can be found at the end of this article.

If you have questions about how to pay for clopidogrel, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.

Note: Optum Perks coupons cannot be used with insurance copays or benefits.

This article describes clopidogrel’s uses and dosage, ways to save on cost, and more. Let your doctor know if you have questions about clopidogrel or would like more details about it.

Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:

• How long will I have to take clopidogrel?
• How can I lower my risk of side effects while taking clopidogrel?
• Should I take aspirin at the same time as clopidogrel?

• Clopidogrel- clopidogrel bisulphate tablet, film coated. (2023). https://nctr-crs.fda.gov/fdalabel/services/spl/set-ids/01c0377a-82f0-41f1-9280-a74c87f2fe82/spl-doc
• Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Orange Book: Approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence evaluations. https://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cder/ob/index.cfm

Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.