What is it and how is it used?
Clopidogrel belongs to a group of medicines called “platelet aggregation inhibitors.” It works by stopping certain particles in your blood (“platelets”) from sticking together to form blood clots which can block blood flow to important parts of your body including your heart and your brain.
If you suffer from hardening of the arteries (“atherosclerosis”) there is an increased risk of a blood clot forming in your blood vessels. Clopidogrel Teva reduces the risk of blood clots forming which in turn reduces the risk of serious conditions such as heart attack and stroke from occurring.
You have been prescribed Clopidogrel Teva because:
Or:
If you have unstable angina or symptoms of a developing heart attack your doctor may also have inserted a device called a “stent” into the blocked or narrowed blood vessel to hold it open and to restore blood flow.
What do you have to consider before using it?
Do not take Clopidogrel Teva
Take special care with Clopidogrel Teva
Tell your doctor before you start to take this medicine if:
While you are taking Clopidogrel Teva:
Clopidogrel Teva is not recommended for use in children or adolescents under 18 years of age.
Using other medicines
Talk to your doctor if you are using or have recently used any of the following medicines:
Taking these medicines in combination with Clopidogrel Teva could result in an increased risk of bleeding.
Please tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription.
Taking Clopidogrel Teva with food and drink
You can take Clopidogrel Teva with or without food.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding
It is preferable not to take this medicine during pregnancy.
If you are pregnant or suspect that you are pregnant, you should tell your doctor or your pharmacist before taking Clopidogrel Teva. If you become pregnant while taking Clopidogrel Teva, 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
Clopidogrel Teva is unlikely to affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Important information about some of the ingredients of Clopidogrel Teva
Your medicine contains lactose. If you have been told by your doctor that you have an intolerance to some sugars (e.g. lactose), contact your doctor before taking this medicinal product.
How is it used?
Always take Clopidogrel Teva 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 per day which should be swallowed with water or another liquid. You should take your medicine regularly at the same time each day. You can take it with or without food.
In addition, if you have experienced severe chest pain (unstable angina or heart attack), your doctor may give you 300 mg of Clopidogrel Teva (4 tablets of 75 mg) once at the start of treatment.
You should continue taking Clopidogrel Teva for as long as your doctor has told you to take it.
If you take more Clopidogrel Teva than you should
If you (or someone else) swallow a lot of the tablets all together, or if you think a child has swallowed any of the tablets, contact your nearest hospital casualty department or your doctor immediately. An overdose is likely to cause an increased risk of bleeding. Please take this leaflet, any remaining tablets and the container with you to the hospital or doctor so that they know which tablets were consumed.
If you forget to take Clopidogrel Teva
If you forget to take a dose of Clopidogrel Teva, but remember within 12 hours of the missed dose, take your tablet straight away and then take your next tablet at the usual time.
If you forget to take a dose of Clopidogrel Teva, but don’t remember within 12 hours of the missed dose, skip the missed dose and take the next tablet at the usual time. Do not take a double dose to make up for a forgotten tablet.
If you stop taking Clopidogrel Teva
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, Clopidogrel Teva can cause side effects, although not everybody gets them.
The frequency of possible side effects listed below is defined using the following convention:
Some of the side effects may be serious. If you suffer from any of the following symptoms you should contact your doctor immediately:
The most common side effect reported for medicines containing clopidogrel is bleeding. Bleeding may occur as bleeding in the stomach or bowels, bruising, haematoma (unusual bleeding or bruising under the skin), nose bleeds or blood in the urine. In a small number of cases, bleeding in the eye, inside the head, the abdomen, the lung and the joints have also been reported.
If you cut or injure yourself, it may take slightly longer than usual for bleeding to stop. This is linked to the way that your medicine works. For minor cuts and injuries (e.g. shaving cuts) you should not worry. However, if you are in any doubt, bleeding becomes serious or you experience unexpected bleeding from unusual parts of your body you should contact your doctor straight away.
Other side effects reported with clopidogrel are:
Common side effects:
Uncommon side effects:
Rare side effects:
Very rare side effects:
If any of the side effects get 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 Clopidogrel Teva after the expiry date that is stated on the outer carton, bottle or blister after EXP. The expiry date refers to the last day of that month.
This medicinal product does not require any special storage conditions.
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.
