PLAVIX (clopidogrel bisulfate) 75mg tablets

What are the risks associated with P.A.D.?

P.A.D. restricts the flow of blood to the limbs and organs, causing damage. P.A.D. can cause difficulty with walking and pain in the legs while at rest. In addition, P.A.D. can put the circulatory system, including the heart and brain, at risk.

If you have P.A.D. you likely have a buildup of plaque in your peripheral arteries and also in the heart or brain. If that plaque were to rupture and form a clot, it could cause a heart attack or stroke, depending on where the affected artery is located.

Can PLAVIX reduce the risks associated with P.A.D.?

PLAVIX is prescribed to help reduce the risk of heart attack or stroke in patients with P.A.D. PLAVIX may help with P.A.D. by keeping platelets from sticking together and forming clots, thereby keeping your blood flowing and helping reduce your risk of a heart attack or stroke. P.A.D. can be managed when treated promptly and appropriately.

What Important Risk Information should I know?

Certain genetic factors and some medicines such as Prilosec or Nexium reduce the effect of PLAVIX, leaving you at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. Your doctor may use genetic tests to determine treatment.

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What are some possible serious side effects that may occur when taking PLAVIX or PLAVIX with aspirin?

Taking PLAVIX alone or with some other medicines, including aspirin, may increase bleeding risk, so tell your doctor when planning surgery. Tell your doctor all medicines you take, including aspirin, especially if you’ve had a stroke. If fever, unexplained weakness or confusion develops, tell your doctor promptly. These may be signs of TTP, a rare but potentially life-threatening condition, reported sometimes less than 2 weeks after starting PLAVIX.

What are the symptoms of TTP?

• purplish spots (called purpura) on the skin or in the mouth (mucous membranes) due to bleeding under the skin
• your skin or the whites of your eyes are yellow (jaundice)
• you feel tired or weak
• your skin looks very pale
• fever
• fast heart rate or feeling short of breath
• headache
• speech changes
• confusion
• coma
• stroke
• seizure
• low amount of urine, or urine that is pink or has blood in it
• stomach area (abdominal) pain
• nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea
• vision changes

Tell your doctor if you have any side effect that bothers you or that does not go away.

Call your doctor right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of bleeding:

• unexpected bleeding or bleeding that lasts a long time
• blood in your urine (pink, red or brown urine)
• red or black stools (looks like tar)
• bruises that happen without a known cause or get larger
• cough up blood or blood clots
• vomit blood or your vomit looks like coffee grounds

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In addition to medication, what are other ways to work with my doctor to manage P.A.D.?

From walking to leg exercises, regular physical activity is an effective treatment for P.A.D. A simple routine just 3 times each week can help alleviate symptoms in 1 to 2 months. Ask your health-care provider for recommendations on an activity plan appropriate to your needs. You may be advised to exercise under the guidance of a rehabilitation program to monitor your program and progress. For those who smoke, quitting can slow the progression of P.A.D.

Be sure to talk to your doctor about which medications available to treat P.A.D. are right for you. Medication options for treating P.A.D. include blood pressure and cholesterol-lowering medications, medications to increase the distance you can walk, as well as clot-preventing medications.

When exercise, quitting smoking, and medication don’t reduce the symptoms of P.A.D. enough, minimally invasive surgery, such as angioplasty, stent replacement, clot removal, or vein bypass may be appropriate.