What is it and how is it used?
Zylagren belongs to a group of medicines called antiplatelet medicinal products. Platelets are very small structures in the blood, which clump together during blood clotting. By preventing this clumping, antiplatelet medicinal products reduce the chances of blood clots forming (a process called thrombosis).
Zylagren is taken to prevent blood clots (thrombi) forming in hardened blood vessels (arteries), a process known as atherothrombosis, which can lead to atherothrombotic events (such as stroke, heart attack, or death).
You have been prescribed Zylagren to help prevent blood clots and reduce the risk of these severe events because:
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do not take Zylagren:
Take special care with Zylagren
If any of the situations mentioned below apply to you, you should tell your doctor before taking Zylagren:
While you are taking Zylagren:
Zylagren is not intended for use in children or adolescents.
Taking other medicines
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Some other medicines may influence the use of Zylagren or vice versa.
You should specifically tell your doctor if you take
An occasional use of acetylsalicylic acid, a substance present in many medicines used to relieve pain and lower fever (no more than 1,000 mg in any 24 hour period), should generally not cause a problem, but prolonged use in other circumstances should be discussed with your doctor.
Taking Zylagren with food and drink
Zylagren may be taken with or without food.
Pregnancy and breast-feeding
It is preferable not to take this product during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should tell your doctor or your pharmacist before taking Zylagren. If you become pregnant while taking Zylagren, consult your doctor immediately as it is recommended not to take clopidogrel while you are pregnant.
You should not breastfeed while taking this medicine.
If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor before taking this medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice before taking any medicine.
Driving and using machines
Zylagren is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or to use machines.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Zylagren
Zylagren contains lactose and hydrogenated castor oil.
If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine.
Hydrogenated castor oil may cause stomach upset and diarrhoea.
How is it used?
Always take Zylagren exactly as your doctor has told you. You should check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure.
The usual dose is one 75 mg tablet of Zylagren per day to be taken orally with or without food, and at the same time each day.
You should take Zylagren for as long as your doctor continues to prescribe it.
If you take more Zylagren than you should:
Contact your doctor or the nearest hospital emergency department because of the increased risk of bleeding.
If you forget to take Zylagren:
If you forget to take a dose of Zylagren, but remember within 12 hours of your usual time, take your tablet straightaway and then take your next tablet at the usual time.
If you forget for more than 12 hours, simply take the next single dose at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet dose.
If you stop taking Zylagren:
Do not stop the treatment unless your doctor tells you so. Contact your doctor or pharmacist before stopping.
If you have any further questions on the use of this product, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
What are possible side effects?
Like all medicines, Zylagren can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention:
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:
The most common side effect is bleeding.
Bleeding may occur as bleeding in the stomach or bowels, bruising, haematoma (unusual bleeding or bruising under the skin), nose bleed, blood in the urine. In a small number of cases, bleeding in the eye, inside the head, the lung or the joints has also been reported.
If you experience prolonged bleeding when taking Zylagren
If you cut or injure yourself, it may take longer than usual for bleeding to stop. This is linked to the way your medicine works as it prevents the ability of blood clots to form. For minor cuts and injuries e.g., cutting yourself, shaving, this is usually of no concern. However, if you are concerned by your bleeding, you should contact your doctor straightaway (see section 2 ‘Take special care with Zylagren’).
Other side effects reported are
Common side effects: Diarrhoea, abdominal pain, indigestion or heartburn.
Uncommon side effects: Headache, stomach ulcer, vomiting, nausea, constipation, excessive gas in stomach or intestines, rashes, itching, dizziness, sensation of tingling and numbness.
Rare side effect: Vertigo.
Very rare side effects: jaundice; severe abdominal pain with or without back pain; fever, breathing difficulties sometimes associated with cough; generalised allergic reactions; swelling in the mouth; blisters of the skin; skin allergy; inflammation of the mouth (stomatitis); decrease in blood pressure; confusion; hallucinations; joint pain; muscular pain; changes in the way things taste.
In addition, your doctor may identify changes in your blood or urine test results.
If any of the side effects gets serious, or if you notice any side effects not listed in this leaflet, please tell your doctor or pharmacist.
How should it be stored?
Keep out of the reach and sight of children.
Do not use Zylagren after the expiry date which is stated on the carton and blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
Store in the original package in order to protect from moisture and light.
Medicines should not be disposed of via wastewater or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. These measures will help to protect the environment.
